A Dutch newspaper released an apology after running a "distasteful link" between South African leader Nelson Mandela's death and Zwarte Piet, or, "Black Pete," the traditional blackface Christmastime character.
De Telegraaf's Thursday article mentioned the start of Sinterklaas - the December celebration from which the story of Black Pete stems - in conjunction with the passing of South Africa's beloved former leader, Nelson Mandela.
"There have been reactions abroad and in the Netherlands to the death of Nelson Mandela, which happened, of all things on Sinterklaas evening [with Zwarte Piet]," the newspaper wrote, according to the Telegraph.
Black Pete - St. Nicholas' domestic helper - recently came under fire after Dutch citizens said that the traditional figure's blackface makeup, red lipstick and huge Afro wigs were inherently racist. But defenders of the traditional character said that Zwarte Piet has long been a well-loved figure by kids and adults alike.
Despite the ongoing argument, the newspaper issued an apology for its unsavory comments on Thursday.
"This should never have happened," the editor in chief of the paper wrote concerning the article, which was reportedly published by accident. "It is never appropriate to make jokes about sad events such as the death of people. Even if they are never intended for publication, there is a risk this might happen."
According to the Telegraph, the United Nations' human rights body released a letter in October warning the Dutch government that the blackface servants dressed as pageboys who assist Santa Claus in handing out treats embodied a "racist stereotype."
"People in the Netherlands cannot see that this is a throwback to slavery, and that in the 21st century this practice should stop," Verene Shepherd, chairman of the UN probe into the Sinterklaas festival, wrote.
Former South African leader Nelson Mandela, who received more than 250 awards in his lifetime for his activist work against HIV/AIDS and his spearheading the apartheid movement, passed away at 95 years old on Thursday, after months of battling a serious infection.
