Uninvited guests cause headache for inauguration
Tsvangirai,Odinga want in on party
Some uninvited prime ministers want to attend the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as the fourth post-apartheid president,causing a diplomatic dilemma and protocol nightmare.
The Foreign Affairs Department,which is responsible for inviting foreign dignitaries,is in a predicament because only heads of state,or heads of government in the case of a monarchy,were invited.
However,it is understood that prime ministers of Zimbabwe and Kenya - Morgan Tsvangirai and Raila Odinga respectively - and others have expressed their desire to witness what has been dubbed the mother of all inaugurations,the biggest since Nelson Mandela's in 1994.
A highly placed source said Tsvangirai and Odinga had personally telephoned Zuma,asking to be part of the 5 000-strong contingent of foreign dignitaries invited to Zuma's inauguration at the Union Buildings on May 9.
Tsvangirai's spokesman,James Maridadi and Kenyan High Commissioner Tom Amolo could not be reached for comment last night.
The department has instead invited the presidents of Zimbabwe and Kenya,Robert Mugabe and Mwa Kibaki respectively,in accordance with state protocol.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is now in a quandary as Luthuli House also wants to invite the prime ministers,who are close to the ANC.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said according to protocol,invitations were sent to head of states,and it was up to them to transfer or extend them to prime ministers.
'We invite the president,who is the head of state and government. Unless the president refers to the prime minister,the president is invited.
'For instance,in cases like Lesotho (the king is head of state) where you have a prime minister,you invite the prime minister,' said Mamoepa.
Foreign Affairs director-general Ayanda Ntsaluba said 'we have received confirmation from 41 countries,21 of which will be represented by their heads of state,the other 20 will have senior representatives leading their delegations'.
Minister in the Presidency Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Ntsaluba said all former South African presidents and deputy presidents were invited.
Mukoni Ratshitanga,spokesman for former president Thabo Mbeki,said he could confirm only today whether his boss would attend Zuma's inauguration.
Relations between Zuma and Mbeki are not that congenial following a tense power struggle in the ruling party,which led to the former being fired as the country's deputy president four years ago.
Mbeki was forced to resign as president last year.
Zuma's inauguration will cost R75 million and is expected to attract more than 30 000 members of the public,with more viewing it on big screens erected in provinces.
Chief Justice Pius Langa will preside over Zuma's swearing-in
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