PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma proudly holds up a tiny, red object and the assembled group of journalists strain to see what is in his hand.

The iPod was a gift from U2 singer Bono, Zuma explained.

Bono said it was an iPod nano from his own Product Red brand created to raise awareness and funds to combat HIV/Aids in Africa.

The statesman and frontman met yesterday morning in Cape Town at Genadendal, the president’s official residence.

After talking for some time inside the house, the pair strolled out to the gardens to greet journalists for a photo opportunity.

Bono said the meeting with Zuma had gone well and he was encouraged by Zuma’s work to eradicate “the scourge of HIV/Aids”.

Bono called Zuma’s efforts “remarkable”.

He had been involved with work on the African continent for some years and had fallen in love with it, Bono said.

Zuma said he was “very pleased indeed” to have had an opportunity to meet Bono, whom he described as a “star”.

He said Bono had raised some very serious issues and had shown he was concerned about the continent and passionate about Africa.

The singer said he had been impressed with Zuma’s warmth and had been made to feel so relaxed in his home.

And then, with a wave from Zuma and a peace sign from Bono, they were gone, with no time for questions permitted.

Bono has been surrounded by media scrutiny since arriving in South Africa.

This intensified after an article appeared in the Sunday Times which said the singer supported ANCYL leader Ju-lius Malema’s singing of the controversial Shoot the Boer.

Bono has since cleared the air in an interview with Talk Radio 702’s Redi Tlhabi, saying it was irresponsible to use struggle songs to stir up hate.

Tonight, more than 72 000 people are set to make their way to the Cape Town Stadium and pack themselves into every available seat for the Irish super group’s concert.

The U2 360° Tour is an ongoing worldwide concert tour which started in Spain in June 2009 and is set to end in July this year.

Production director Jake Berry yesterday showed journalists around the stage built for U2 at Cape Town Stadium.

He explained how The Claw, a gigantic structure which allowed the massive stadium to feel intimate, was constructed there over the past week.

The City of Cape Town will be activating the 2010 World Cup “park-n-ride” and “park-n-rail” services, and these will be free for all U2 ticket holders.

The Fan Walk will also be open from 3.30pm.

More tickets are expected to become available today and will cost between R800 and R1 000.

The stadium’s doors open at 4.30pm. -

michelle.jones@inl.co.za