When the leader of the most powerful nation in the world approaches you wearing a smile, hand stretched out, but you are speaking on phone, what would you do?
Well, for South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, the answer is very simple. Shake hands but do not interrupt the call.
Social media has been quite abuzz with reactions on President Jacob Zuma’s actions at a luncheon hosted by the United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday.
A photo has been making round on social media showing Zuma greeting Obama while seated and making a phone call at the luncheon.
Zuma must have been talking to someone extremely important or was receiving extremely important information from somebody. Whatever reason it be, he could not afford to interrupt the conversation to give the US president some time.
People seem to have different reactions on this, others seeing it as a light-moment between two heads of states, while others think the South African leader showed a lack of respect for the leader of the so called free world.
In the photo, President Obama is also seen mimicking Zuma’s phone call.
Here are some of the social media reactions to this photo;
Manner less Jacob Zuma! You're an embarrassment to Africa in general and to South Africa!! pic.twitter.com/ov5Lpavln5
— Gacango Kiboi (@DrKiboi) September 29, 2015
Since when do elders stand up to greet young'uns?
— Zulu Butter. (@ZinhleM___) September 29, 2015
To me, the Zuma/Obama shot catches a candid moment between both leaders. A joke appears to be shared in an informal setting. Chill.
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) September 29, 2015
If u were Zuma wud u hv hunged up Atul Gupta 2 greet Obama? pic.twitter.com/divzwtulaa
— Joseph Bakubaku Ndlovu (@bakubaku87) September 30, 2015
Is Obama mocking Zuma here? pic.twitter.com/VTfqYHzG8c
— Arthur Asiimwe (@aasiimwe) September 30, 2015
@dailysunsa both Zuma and Obama are guests and Presidents respectively. Zuma was not Obama's guest, so the is nothing improper.
— Parks Phalatsi (@oupa_phalatsi) September 30, 2015
