Cherished Christmas tradition for some, profoundly insulting for others, the Dutch character "Black Pete", a servant who helps Santa Claus distribute presents, has divided opinion in The Netherlands for decades.

Until recently, Santa's arrival on the eve of Saint Nicolas Day (December 5) -- a major Yuletide celebration for the Dutch -- was marked by many people dressing up as Black Pete, complete with blacked-out faces and often afro wigs, creole earrings and make-up to plump out lips.

Stung by the caricature that harks back to Dutch colonial times, Jerry Afriyie founded the "Kick Out Black Pete" (KOZP) movement in 2010 to fight racism and is now wrapping up with the battle won.

"Around this time of the year, you would pass hundreds of Black Petes (Zwarte Piet in Dutch), hundreds of whi

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