The organisers of the African Infantryman of the Year competition face allegations of blatant & old fashioned racism over this morning’s entry which shows black militiamen who has "whitened up", plunging the entire series into the latest of many race rows to hit this blog

The Bloemfontein based Ex-Mercs Castle Lager Coalition have condemned the competitions organisers decision to publish the picture as stupid & offensive, while members of Johannesburg's Rand Club have added to the chorus of disapproval. Speaking from the club's Spencer Whiting Armoury, General Jannie van der Witte Aarde warned that it will cause serious offence & went on to add that it’s a throwback to an era when white mercenaries were used. He added that these days "whiting up" is considered to be dehumanising to white people & racist.

Against this backdrop, the organisers were simply cock-a-hoop to receive a genuinely non-black African nomination from one ex-Corporal Deluxe Mapatabi...

Love the African Infantryman series & wanted to send a bio of another famous African warrior, Sir Morris fford-Blanchfork in his field kit & belt order. It is arcane knowledge that European officers led the best African Regiments. As a survivor, I can sorely attest to that.

This is a faded picture taken somewhere in Africa, long ago, hopefully long enough for the War Crimes Tribunal to forget about what actually happened. My friend was an Honorary Colonel in the Kwanza Special Para-Military Police Regiment. He may have led many of those brave men so gloriously pictured in your African Infantryman contest.

Deluxe