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JOHANNESBURG - Former South African president Nelson Mandela has praised poet, playwright and song-writer Mbongeni Ngema's use of art to promote the liberation struggle, but clearly stated that his controversial song 'AmaNdiya' did not deal appropriately with the problem of racism in South Africa.

Ngema met the Nobel peace laureate at his Houghton home yesterday to discuss the song, which has been widely condemned.

He said the debate he had wished to raise had "gone the wrong way".

Mandela said stereotyping on grounds of race, tribe, region or ethnicity was "poison" and against the principles for which the African National Congress had fought.

"African people through the African National Congress now are in a position to set the agenda for transformation and we are being watched by the world. So everyone has to raise problems in a way that contributes to solving them not inflaming emotions," he said.

Ngema said: "The words in the song (which labels Indians oppressors of blacks) have gone too far in creating fear in minorities but people have also manipulated it to mean what they want. I would like to allay the fears of the Indian community.

They helped to build our struggle - in a bigger way than some of our African brothers," he said at a joint news conference with Mandela.

Ngema said he would not object if the song was withdrawn from the market but that decision ultimately lay with the record company with which he had a contract.

Mandela said Ngema's contribution had been "exceptional".

"During the most difficult time under apartheid he took up and used art to promote the struggle and whatever our views on this are, let us not forget his contribution."

Minorities had to feel that they were an equal part of new South African society and the Indian community was playing a good role in that society, said Mandela.

He said he would request the support of President Thabo Mbeki and the Minister of Arts, Science and Technology Ben Ngubane in Ngema's proposed programme to achieve reconciliation between blacks and Indians.

Mandela said racism was being destroyed in South Africa, although there were pockets of it remained.

"But it's a minority that are negative. We are doing very well in destroying racism in our communities."

This was borne out by the fact that the rightwing were now "complete non-entities", he said.

When it was released last month, the song 'AmaNdiya' provoked an outpouring of protest from political parties and other organisations, including the SA Human Rights Commission, which described it as racist hate speech. - Sapa