Durban - Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula went out of his way to mend political fences between himself and President Jacob Zuma at the draw for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations at the International Convention Centre in Durban on Wednesday night.
Earlier this week the sports minister was reported to have told a journalist working for The Star in Joburg that the president was “politically bankrupt” and “married every week”. He later denied the remarks, but the newspaper is standing by the story.
On Wednesday night, Mbalula abandoned a live interview with a pay TV channel halfway through when Zuma and his entourage arrived.
It was the first time the president and his sports minister had been seen together since Mbalula was reported to have made the remarks.
The sports journalist who was interviewing Mbalula was left startled as the diminutive minister shot off and sprinted in the direction from which Zuma was approaching.
Ghana soccer star Sammy Kuffour, who was standing nearby, was also perplexed by the minister’s sudden speed, asking those in earshot: “Where is he going?”
Other sporting legends, such as former South African soccer captain Lucas Radebe, were also confused about what was happening.
Mbalula proceeded towards Zuma, who was accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize.
Mbalula greeted the president, who returned his greetings, but the meeting was subdued.
As they took the escalator to the VIP room the restraint between the two was palpable.
Later in the evening, they sat in the same row separated by four people.
In his speech Zuma acknowledged the presence of Mbalula and even shook his hand. This was after the sports minister desperately reached out.
Zuma had earlier shaken hands with the king and the premier.
* The soccer tournament was to have been hosted in Libya but was moved to South Africa because of the civil war in the north African country. The tournament will take place at five venues from January 19 to February 10. - The Mercury