Zuma’s courage fails him – misses opportunity to tackle Trump on his insults about SA

New US President Donald Trump loves the phone and worked it again yesterday on his “Sub Saharan Africa Day”. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi obviously leads Trump’s list of African priorities, being “rewarded” with a call on January 23, just three days after the inauguration. Yesterday the US President spoke to Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari, who is on holiday in the UK, and an hour of so later, to SA’s Jacob Zuma.

Despite their boss being well down the pecking order, Zuma’s spin doctors didn’t miss the opportunity to distribute an official notification of the call, made “at the request of President Trump.” Great, I thought. What an opportunity for the king of Nkandla to tackle the king of spontaneity on some of Trump’s more insulting tweets.

Like in December 2013 when Trump told 24 million Twitter followers: “Can you believe that the corrupt and pathetic South Africa police force has yet to arrest the sign language guy. Such danger – give 10 years!” And followed up a few hours later with: “I really like Nelson Mandela but South Africa is a crime ridden mess that is just waiting to explode – not a good situation for the people!”

Seems Zuma’s courage must have failed him at the moment critique. A communique from his office tells us the two Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening “already strong bilateral relations” and discussed “the need to work together for peace and stability” in Africa. Oh well. Not all Zulus served in uShaka’s Impis.

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