Archbishop Tutu criticizes exclusion of Afrikaners at Mandela memorial services

Archbishop Desmond Tutu expressed criticism that the memorial services for former South African president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela excluded Afrikaners.

Tutu released a statement that called Mandela a "nation builder" and noted that the absence of the Dutch Reformed Church and limited use of Afrikaans at the services was regrettable as "We were amiss in not being as inclusive as Madiba [Mandela's clan name] would certainly have been." Tutu then addressed those excluded from the memorial services: "To the extent that I can do so meaningfully, I apologise to our sisters and brothers in the Afrikaner Community."

Tutu and Mandela both fought apartheid, a white minority rule that was introduced in South Africa by a mainly Afrikaner party. Mandela, jailed for 27 years for opposing apartheid, advocated reconciliation with Afrikaners and their inclusion in a post-apartheid government.

[BBC]