The President had come under serious
condemnation by critics in the social media, who wondered why he went to
Johannesburg in the first place without rendering an oration in honour of
Madiba as other world leaders did.
But Presidential Spokesman, Dr
Reuben Abating, dismissed the attacks on the President as a classic case of
much ado about nothing, as Jonathan was not billed to speak at the ceremony in
the first place.
According to Abati, only six out of
the 100 world leaders at the event, were slated to speak and Jonathan was not
one of those chosen to render any speech.
“The late
Madiba’s burial is not a United Nations Debating session. It is what it is a
burial: a solemn, national ceremony,” Abati said.
” Leaders
from all over the world attended the Memorial Service to pay their last
respects and to identify with South Africans in their hour of grief. It was
certainly not meant to be an occasion for political grandstanding or the waving
of flags.
“Out of
about 100 world leaders who attended the event today, only six spoke at the
ceremony. It was made clear at the occasion that the Chairman of the AU
Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will speak on behalf of African leaders.
And she did.
“I do not
agree that Nigeria was insulted in any way. It was good that President Jonathan
attended the Memorial service and that Nigeria is in solidarity with the South
Africans.
“If every
leader who attended the service had been asked to say a word, the event would
not have ended. There were many other leaders at the event, whose countries
have strong historical and political ties with South Africa, but who did not
speak.
“I have
not heard their compatriots crying like babies. This is obviously a further
indication of a rising, minority tendency to read the negative into every
official item,”Abati said.
Vanguard
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