Mandela says racism claim is misplaced

CAPE TOWN - President Nelson Mandela responded yesterday to claims by his predecessor, Mr F.W

CAPE TOWN - President Nelson Mandela responded yesterday to claims by his predecessor, Mr F.W. de Klerk, that his party used racism as a political tool.

"I challenge any one of you who were in government and left - (you) don't have the record we in the ANC ... have established in accommodating all racial groups in this country," he said in parliament.

Mr De Klerk accused the ruling ANC on Tuesday of playing the racist card.

Mr Mandela stood over affirmative action for victims of apartheid. "This whole hue and cry about affirmative action being a reverse form of racism is a misplaced perception," he said.