South Africa deputy International Relations Minister Marius Fransman is expected to meet Malawian President Joyce Banda today to try smother the flames between South Africa and Malawi.RELATED STORIES
The meeting follows President Jacob Zuma’s comment that was seen by many as a diplomatic gaffe
“We can't think like Africans in Africa, generally. We are in Johannesburg. This is Johannesburg. It's not some national road in Malawi,” said Zuma as he tried to defend e-tolling in Gauteng.
Zuma's spokesperson, Mac Maharaj, has apologised on his behalf, saying Zuma was misunderstood.
International Relations minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane had to field questions about Zuma’s comment while hosting her Nigerian counterpart on Wednesday.
“We cannot be proud of Sandton, Sandhurst and Midrand. We want to create more of such hubs in Niger, in Malawi and many.
"It's not only about words. Where does president Zuma spend most of his time not in South Africa? On the continent, talking issues development in practice,” said Mashabane.
But in a telephone intervie International Relations spokesperson Cleyson Monyela denied the deputy such a development saying Fransman visisted Malawi to attend a SADC meeting
" I don't know where you got this but what I know is that the deputy minister is in Malawi to attend a SADC meeting and not to discuss Zuma's remarks" said Monyela
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