Zuma chooses Mugabe wedding over Mandela memorial

President Jacob Zuma is too busy to attend a memorial service for Nelson Mandela at Westminster Abbey in London tomorrow - but has found time to be at a Mugabe family wedding and visit a Free State chicken farm.

Ironically, the date of the memorial had been changed specifically so that Zuma could attend.

The visit to the chicken farm took place in Reitz on Friday, and on Saturday Zuma flew to Harare for the lavish wedding of Robert and Grace Mugabe's only daughter, Bona.

Zuma's schedule initially included a "working visit" to the UK from today until tomorrow, which could have included the Westminster service.

But his spokesperson, Mac Maharaj said the president's diary was "always subject to change."

He said earlier this week that Zuma was now too busy with domestic issues to attend.

Maharaj denied that the cancellation of the London trip could be seen as a snub.

"He has sent the second-highest office (Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe) and two ministers to London.

"I have seen some articles saying this is a snub. This is not a snub - people are wrong," he said.

Motlanthe had been scheduled to campaign in Soweto yesterday, but had to change this plan.