By John Ikani
There was mild drama on Tuesday in Cape Town as president of South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, misplaced his iPad moments before making an important announcement on national television.
Ramaphosa’s announcement that the nation’s National Ports Authority was now an independent subsidiary of Transnet was briefly delayed because he was unable to find the device which contained his speech.
Upon being introduced to the podium by acting presidency spokesperson Tyrone Seale, Ramaphosa said in jest: “I am looking for my iPad. Somebody stole my iPad.
“Somebody decided they want to dispossess me of my iPad, so I want that. Can I have my iPad please? They stole it.”
Ramaphosa, who looked genuinely puzzled, then said: “I had my iPad.”
Looking at Seale, the president asked: “Do you know where they took my iPad to?
“This is the problem of always handing your gadgets to other people. It is always best that I should keep all these things with me all the time.
“I had my iPad. I had it in my hand. It’s gone. I have lost it, it seems.”
Seale later urged the president to return to his seat while officials tried to locate the device.
Watch the video…