Governments aligned with South Africa maintained a strict silence on the issue of President Jacob Zuma fathering a child out of wedlock.
Diplomats were also tightlipped on the matter and the impact it would have on the country’s image abroad.
Embassy spokesmen would not touch the issue with a bargepole.
Further up the food chain, their ambassadors said, strictly off the record, they were scouring the South African media to see how best to report the cultural elements of this matter to their capitals.
They noted the general public condemnation, the president’s unqualified apology and the statements of support from the ruling party and Cosatu.
As for the morality, they were convinced it did nothing to enhance the international image of South Africa and its leader.