By Hannes de Wet
Nelson Mandela, icon of the struggle against apartheid, ventured on hallowed Afrikaner ground on Wednesday to pay tribute to a renowned war hero of his former foes.
Speaking at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, he described Boer scout commander Danie Theron as a brave and patriotic warrior.
"I am proud to pay homage to the memory of a brave Boer fighter," Mandela said at a wreath-laying ceremony at a statue of Theron.
"My own shaping as a freedom fighter has been deeply influenced by the work and lives of Afrikaner freedom fighters."
Theron was a legendary figure during the Anglo Boer War, renowned for his acumen and daring as a scout for the Boer forces. He was killed at the age of 30 in a battle with British forces near Fochville in September 1900.
His statue was moved from an old military base in Kimberley to Fort Schanskop at the Voortrekker Monument late last year.
Mandela's involvement in the ceremony has raised the ire of the Afrikaner Eenheidsbeweging and some other rightwing organisations.
The invitation to Mandela to take part amounted to "morbid humour", AEB leader Cassie Aucamp said.
He contended the ruling African National Congress was dishonouring the Afrikaner struggle against colonialism in the previous century.
Aucamp cited the recent renaming of Pietersburg to Polokwane. The city was initially named after Boer general Piet Joubert who played a major role in the Anglo Boer War.
Mandela on Wednesday said he was aware of the debate around his presence at the ceremony.
"I can assure you that I took no offence. I think it's good that people feel at liberty to raise such questions in public."
Mandela said he realised name changes were causing resentment in some circles.
"I want to believe that South Africans... can in a matter of this kind once more find processes that can accommodate the aspirations as well as the anxieties of all."
The former president said he was approached two years ago to help raise money for projects at the Voortrekker Monument, and agreed without hesitation.
The esteem in which he held Afrikaners was no secret, Mandela said.
"That we have had grave and deep differences with some of the political leaders from this community, and with the racial policies emanating from them, in no way detracts from our sense of appreciation of the role of Afrikaners in building our common land."
Mandela's involvement in recruiting donors for the projects at the monument partly prompted the invitation to him, chief executive Gert Opperman said.
"We also want to share our heritage with other people in this country."
The organisations that objected to Mandela's presence had also been invited to attend.
"But I don't see any of them around," Opperman said.
Mandela took a salute from the presidential guard on his arrival. The ceremony included performances by an SA Air Force band and a flypast by two light military aircraft.
After a wreath was laid at the statue of Theron, Mandela posed for photographs with descendants of the Boer hero.
Access to the ceremony was strictly controlled and a police helicopter patrolled the area before the start of the proceedings.
About 250 people from various Afrikaner groupings and the military attended. - Sapa