Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe sprang a surprise today when he received a standing ovation at former South African President Nelson Mandela’s memorial service at FNB Stadium in Soweto after his presence was acknowledged by African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa. The media has been on Mugabe’s case since Mandela died on 5 December. Mugabe has been described as the exact opposite of Mandela who has been hailed the world over for his reconciliatory stance. Mugabe was reportedly jealousy of Mandela’s popularity. One Zimbabwean online publication even said he had gone to the memorial service reluctantly. But Mugabe has always been popular with the ordinary South Africans. This is not the first time that he has received a standing ovation in South Africa. He outshone Mandela at the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as South Africa’s third president in 2009.
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