PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki may be the architect of a new vision for Africa, but he’s still capable of muddling up bits of the continent.
At a ceremony at Tuynhuys on Friday attended by Mali’s Foreign Minister Modibo Sidibe, Mbeki in a slip of the tongue repeatedly confused Malawi with Mali.
Sidibe was there to confer decorations of the Commander of the National Order of Mali on Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Transport Minister Dullah Omar and their sport colleague Ngconde Balfour.
The awards recognised South Africa’s transport, communications and other logistic help when Mali hosted Africa’s premier football tournament.
”As you know, the African Cup of Nations was held in Malawi in January and February this year,” said Mbeki.
”Mali,” interjected Dlamini-Zuma.
”Mali – I’m terribly sorry about that,” said Mbeki, but then repeated the slip only seconds later.
Sidibe appeared to take the error in good humour – particularly when a smiling Mbeki handed over to him with: ”The rest I’m going to leave to the minister of foreign affairs of Mali, not Malawi.”
Sidibe said he had been sent by Malian President Alpha Konare to express in person the gratitude of the people of his country for South Africa’s support, which largely contributed to the success of the cup.
Omar’s decoration was accepted by his wife Farida, as he was out of town. – Sapa