you stated:
*The question that has always been in my mind is this, is it really possible that some of these early travellers underwent some sort of mutation from which the other 'races of man' emerged and others did not or, are these other 'races' a result from the mingling of similar but different species?

perhaps i am not well versed on the timeline but, mutations as you called it (probably more appropriately called adaptation) would have occured over a long period of time not within a mere 2 or 3 generations. as this would have been a slow process taking place over a long period of time it would have been difficult to recognize.

continuing you also asked:
*I don't get is what reason Africans who claim to have pride in thier origins have for playing along with this

i do not believe that we are trying to "play" along with anything. we are here to seek the truth. our motives for this search should only be to find the truth and not to prove our own agendas.

foriver seeking guidance
blessings from humble standing