The day South Africa's imperialist president dined with the "old imperialists"
South Africa's polygamous president, Jacob Zuma, arrived in Britain last night for his state visit.
Hours before meeting and dining with the Queen at Buckingham Palace the president who has five wives, a love child with the daughter of one of his political allies, who once faced a criminal trial for the alleged rape of an HIV positive woman and corruption charges, accused the British of being old-fashioned imperialists and the British media of being obsessed with his colourful life.
Last night he had a state banquet at Buckingham Palace with the Queen, other Royals and dignitaries. He was also treated to a fullscale ceremonial welcome on Horseguards Parade involving plenty of British pageantry.
As a gift, Zuma gave the Queen a chess set with Zulu warrior pieces.
The day polygamist president Jacob Zuma dined with the 'old fashioned imperialists'
By Rebecca English
04th March 2010
Daily Mail
As a polygamist who has fathered more than 20 children, both in and out of wedlock, he was always going to cause a stir on his inaugural state visit.
Jacob Zuma added fuel to the fire yesterday by branding the British as old fashioned imperialists - only hours before he was officially greeted by the Queen.
The South African president has apparently been angered by his host country's 'obsession' with his colourful life.
It includes five wives, a love child with the daughter of one of his political allies, a criminal trial for the alleged rape of an HIV positive woman and corruption charges.
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The Queen and Jacob Zuma take a close look at the chess set he presented her - without realising it was the second one she had received
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In an interview yesterday, the 67-year-old politician, who was cleared of rape and fought off the corruption charges, insisted he had been unfairly portrayed and described himself as a 'freedom fighter' who was being attacked by 'colonial' bigots.
'When the British came to our country they said everything we did was barbaric, was wrong, inferior in whatever way,' he said.
'Bear in mind that I'm a freedom fighter and I fought to free myself, also for my culture to be respected. I don't know why they are continuing thinking that their culture is more superior than others, those who might have said so. I am very clear on these issues, I've not looked down upon any culture of anyone, and no one has been given an authority to judge others.
'The British have done that before, as they colonised us, and they continue to do this, and it's an unfortunate thing.'
His spokesman insisted that the president's comments would have no bearing on his three-day trip, saying: 'Mr Zuma is in the UK for a wide ranging programme of substantial and serious issues.
'The comments he made were not aimed at the British public in general but at certain sections of the media which have lambasted him for what he considers to be his culture.'
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Mr Zuma and Prince Philip: Both have courted controversy for comments made in the press
But his attack has caused intense diplomatic embarrassment - and wrecked his advisers' attempts to coach him about the finer points of royal etiquette.
One aide admitted they had been studying a 'long list of dos and don'ts' for weeks. But when he met the Queen and Prince Philip, Mr Zuma appeared to be on his best behaviour. Alongside newly-elected Mr Zuma was his latest wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, 38, with whom he has a one-year-old daughter. He only married her in January.
There had been much debate about which of his three current wives would accompany him on the trip (of the ex-wives, he divorced one while the second committed suicide).
Fortunately for palace staff, he settled on just the one and the couple have been allocated the Belgian Suite in the garden wing at Buckingham Palace.
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Former bank clerk Mrs Madiba Zuma, whose generously proportioned figure strained at the seams of her gold shot- silk suit, looked overwhelmed by her surroundings, barely uttering a word as she walked with the royal party. But her smile was so warm that Prince Philip, for one, appeared charmed.
The couple were treated to a fullscale ceremonial welcome on Horseguards Parade, attended by dignitaries including Gordon Brown, who skipped Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to attend the event. Mr Zuma greeted the royal party with an unusual double handshake before joining the Duke of Edinburgh to inspect a Guard of Honour.
Mr Brown's absence from Prime Minister's Questions provoked a row.
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The Tories claimed he has now 'bottled' one in eight appearances since he became Prime Minister.
Usually when a state event leads to a diary clash, the Commons confrontation is moved to the afternoon.
But Mr Brown preferred to attend a children's champion awards event hosted by the News of the World yesterday afternoon.
His spokesman said: 'It is always the case that the head of government is at the receiving ceremony for a visiting head of state.'
Yesterday afternoon, as Mr Zuma was given a tour of Buckingham Palace by his hosts, many of his 200 plus-strong entourage also seemed ignorant of royal protocol.
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While the men wandered around the palace wearing football-style scarves in the South African colours over their suits, the women chatted noisily on their mobile phones and used them to take pictures of the furnishings.
Last night, Mr Zuma and his wife sat down to a glittering state banquet thrown at Buckingham Palace by the Queen in their honour.
He took a far more tactful approach in his speech at the banquet than he had done in his earlier interview.
He thanked the British people for their support in the struggle against apartheid and paid tribute to the strong ties between both countries.
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dailymail.co.uk
South Africa's polygamous president, Jacob Zuma, arrived in Britain last night for his state visit.
Hours before meeting and dining with the Queen at Buckingham Palace the president who has five wives, a love child with the daughter of one of his political allies, who once faced a criminal trial for the alleged rape of an HIV positive woman and corruption charges, accused the British of being old-fashioned imperialists and the British media of being obsessed with his colourful life.
Last night he had a state banquet at Buckingham Palace with the Queen, other Royals and dignitaries. He was also treated to a fullscale ceremonial welcome on Horseguards Parade involving plenty of British pageantry.
As a gift, Zuma gave the Queen a chess set with Zulu warrior pieces.
The day polygamist president Jacob Zuma dined with the 'old fashioned imperialists'
By Rebecca English
04th March 2010
Daily Mail
'One is flattered by the invitation to become your number four Mr Zuma. But one is already spoken for.'
As a polygamist who has fathered more than 20 children, both in and out of wedlock, he was always going to cause a stir on his inaugural state visit.
Jacob Zuma added fuel to the fire yesterday by branding the British as old fashioned imperialists - only hours before he was officially greeted by the Queen.
The South African president has apparently been angered by his host country's 'obsession' with his colourful life.
It includes five wives, a love child with the daughter of one of his political allies, a criminal trial for the alleged rape of an HIV positive woman and corruption charges.
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The Queen and Prince Phillip accompany Jacob Zuma and his wife Tobeka Madiba Zuma to the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace last night
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We are amused: The Queen and Mr Zuma share a joke at the start of the State Banquet
Mr Zuma and his wife Tobeka Madiba Zuma Gordon and Sarah Brown 10 Downing Street today
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The Queen and Jacob Zuma take a close look at the chess set he presented her - without realising it was the second one she had received
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In an interview yesterday, the 67-year-old politician, who was cleared of rape and fought off the corruption charges, insisted he had been unfairly portrayed and described himself as a 'freedom fighter' who was being attacked by 'colonial' bigots.
'When the British came to our country they said everything we did was barbaric, was wrong, inferior in whatever way,' he said.
'Bear in mind that I'm a freedom fighter and I fought to free myself, also for my culture to be respected. I don't know why they are continuing thinking that their culture is more superior than others, those who might have said so. I am very clear on these issues, I've not looked down upon any culture of anyone, and no one has been given an authority to judge others.
'The British have done that before, as they colonised us, and they continue to do this, and it's an unfortunate thing.'
His spokesman insisted that the president's comments would have no bearing on his three-day trip, saying: 'Mr Zuma is in the UK for a wide ranging programme of substantial and serious issues.
'The comments he made were not aimed at the British public in general but at certain sections of the media which have lambasted him for what he considers to be his culture.'
The Queen looks on as South African President Jacob Zuma greets Gordon Brown during a ceremonial welcome on Horseguards Parade
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Prince Philip grins as Jacob Zuma's wife Thobeka Madiba Zuma enjoys the ceremonial welcome
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Mr Zuma and Prince Philip: Both have courted controversy for comments made in the press
Getting on famously: Thobeka Madiba Zuma and Philip share a carridge
But his attack has caused intense diplomatic embarrassment - and wrecked his advisers' attempts to coach him about the finer points of royal etiquette.
One aide admitted they had been studying a 'long list of dos and don'ts' for weeks. But when he met the Queen and Prince Philip, Mr Zuma appeared to be on his best behaviour. Alongside newly-elected Mr Zuma was his latest wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, 38, with whom he has a one-year-old daughter. He only married her in January.
There had been much debate about which of his three current wives would accompany him on the trip (of the ex-wives, he divorced one while the second committed suicide).
Fortunately for palace staff, he settled on just the one and the couple have been allocated the Belgian Suite in the garden wing at Buckingham Palace.
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All smiles: The South African President greets the Queen
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Shake on it: Mr Zuma warmly greets Prince Philip
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Diplomatic discussion: A carriage carrying the Queen and South African President Jacob Zuma processes along the Mall today
Former bank clerk Mrs Madiba Zuma, whose generously proportioned figure strained at the seams of her gold shot- silk suit, looked overwhelmed by her surroundings, barely uttering a word as she walked with the royal party. But her smile was so warm that Prince Philip, for one, appeared charmed.
The couple were treated to a fullscale ceremonial welcome on Horseguards Parade, attended by dignitaries including Gordon Brown, who skipped Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to attend the event. Mr Zuma greeted the royal party with an unusual double handshake before joining the Duke of Edinburgh to inspect a Guard of Honour.
Mr Brown's absence from Prime Minister's Questions provoked a row.
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We are amused: The Queen shares a joke with Gordon Brown, David Miliband and Alan Johnson
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The Queen greets Gordon Brown during the ceremonial welcome for Mr Zuma
The Tories claimed he has now 'bottled' one in eight appearances since he became Prime Minister.
Usually when a state event leads to a diary clash, the Commons confrontation is moved to the afternoon.
But Mr Brown preferred to attend a children's champion awards event hosted by the News of the World yesterday afternoon.
His spokesman said: 'It is always the case that the head of government is at the receiving ceremony for a visiting head of state.'
Yesterday afternoon, as Mr Zuma was given a tour of Buckingham Palace by his hosts, many of his 200 plus-strong entourage also seemed ignorant of royal protocol.
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The Queen and Mr Zuma ride in a carriage on their way to Buckingham Palace
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Mr Zuma and Thobeka Madiba Zuma, the most recent of three his wives, leave Westminster Abbey
While the men wandered around the palace wearing football-style scarves in the South African colours over their suits, the women chatted noisily on their mobile phones and used them to take pictures of the furnishings.
Last night, Mr Zuma and his wife sat down to a glittering state banquet thrown at Buckingham Palace by the Queen in their honour.
He took a far more tactful approach in his speech at the banquet than he had done in his earlier interview.
He thanked the British people for their support in the struggle against apartheid and paid tribute to the strong ties between both countries.
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Men in black: Mr Zuma and Prince Philip inspect the troops on Horse Guards Parade
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Inspection: Mr Zuma walks past the troops on Horseguards Parade
Polygamous: Mr Zuma poses with his three wives Nompumelo Ntuli, left, Thobeka Mabhija, second left, and Sizakele Khumalo
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