Nambia or Namibia? Don’s big blooper
Trump erroneously refers to the southern African nation at UN
United Nations, Sept. 21: US President Donald Trump caused a storm on Wednesday after he erroneously referred to the southern African nation of Namibia as ‘Nambia’ in a speech to African leaders at a luncheon in New York.
“Nambia’s health system is increasingly selfsufficient,” Mr Trump was heard saying — though the White House transcript of his remarks did make it clear that he meant Namibia.
The gaffe triggered jokes and memes all day on Twitter, including direct comparisons with Mr Trump’s infamous “covfefe” tweet of May this year.
Located on the southwestern edge of the continent, Namibia is one of the world’s younger countries, having been established in 1990.
Social media users wasted no time in offering their own explanations.
One person shared an image of US race activist Rachel Dolezal, who identifies as black despite being born white, and who recently visited South Africa:
Namibia’s President Hage Geingob was present when Mr Trump made the gaffe. He has not yet commented.
Some Twitter users also bristled at President Trump’s comments about Africa’s “tremendous business potential”.
“I have so many friends going to your countries trying to get rich. I congratulate you, they’re spending a lot of money,” Mr Trump said.
“It [represents] huge amounts of different markets... It’s really become a place they have to go, that they want to go.”
Others defended Mr Mr Trump, saying that aside from the “Nambia” blunder, he made some valid points.
Although Namibia only accounts for a fraction of the world’s diamond output in weight terms, it ranks among the top diamond producers in terms of value per unit weight. In 2013, Namibian diamonds were valued at $805 per carat, according to the US geological survey.
Trump also congratulated the African leaders for their countries having business potential.
“I have so many friends going to your countries trying to get rich,” he said. The President was in town for the annual U.N. General Assembly where he met with several world leaders throughout the week.