00:00Even the most powerful leaders in Africa aren't immune to awkward, funny or shocking moments caught on live TV.
00:12From slips and stumbles to viral speeches and surprising mishaps,
00:17we've compiled the 20 most unforgettable presidential moments you need to see.
00:22Stick around till the end. Some will leave you laughing, some in shock.
00:28It all started with one of South Africa's most unforgettable bloopers,
00:32when President Jacob Zuma repeated,
00:34in the beginninging, during a national address.
00:37The clip exploded online, spawning remixes and memes.
00:41For many viewers outside South Africa, it was their first hilarious introduction to the former president.
00:48In SCC 1, V1.
00:51Indie Beninging.
00:53Indie, Indie Bening, Indie Beninging.
00:59Yeah. Indie.
01:01Indie.
01:02Indie.
01:03Indie.
01:05Indie Beninging.
01:07Indie.
01:08Indie.
01:09Indie.
01:10Indie.
01:11Indie.
01:12Indie.
01:13Indie.
01:14Indie.
01:15Indie.
01:16Indie.
01:17Indie.
01:18Indie.
01:19Indie.
01:20Indie.
01:21Indie.
01:22Indie.
01:23Indie.
01:24Ugandan President Yawari Museveni once stopped his entire motorcade to take a phone call on live TV.
01:31The surreal image of a head of state casually chatting while soldiers stood at attention went viral worldwide.
01:38During a national anthem ceremony, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir appeared to lose bladder control live on television.
01:56The clip went viral, sparking both sympathy and concern over his health, especially among younger audiences unfamiliar with his long tenure.
02:08While addressing the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa struggled hilariously to wear a surgical mask, flipping it, twisting it and laughing at himself.
02:22The moment broke the internet with South Africans applauding his humor and humility.
02:27We are calling on all South Africans to wear a face mask whenever you leave home.
02:45During Nelson Mandela's memorial, crowds at Johannesburg's FNB stadium openly booed President Jacob Zuma.
02:52Cameras caught his uneasy smile as the global audience watched a rare public show of disapproval for a sitting leader.
02:59The President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, President,
03:01President, Virginia, state of West Africa and President, Virginia, South Africa and the world of the state.
03:05The President of South Africa and the Central America, President of the Republic of South Africa and President,
03:25The Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Gedeisegis-Azuma.
03:32During a parliamentary session, South African President Cyril Rangifosa was advocating the use of condoms to protect citizens.
03:40The clip quickly went viral across African social media.
03:43The Minister of Health was able, a few months ago, to launch a new condom.
03:49And I brought some examples here.
03:51A new condom, which is called the Max Condom.
03:56The Max Condom is in response to what a number of people were saying.
04:05They were saying that the other condom that had been introduced by government did not smell so well.
04:14And it made a noise whenever it was used.
04:18Now, through scientific development, we were able to develop a new condom, which is called Max.
04:29The Max is for maximum pleasure, maximum protection, and it does not make noise at all.
04:38And it comes in different flavors.
04:43If you want a grape flavor, you can get a grape flavor.
04:48South Africa's then Finance Minister, Nalan Hla Nene, was calmly speaking when his chair suddenly collapsed beneath him.
04:56He disappeared from view on live TV and instantly became one of the most replayed moments in African broadcasting.
05:01An opportunity for members of parliament to actually digest and go through the documentation that is going to be presented to the public.
05:12And the opportunity for proper engagement is actually after the tabling of the year.
05:23During her parliamentary swearing-in, MP Pamela Madrodina stumbled repeatedly on the word conscientiously.
05:30The room chuckled, but she powered through, earning both laughter and respect for finishing the oath.
05:35And I undertake to hold my office as a minister with honor and dignity, to be a true and faithful councillor, not to divulge directly or indirectly any secret matter entrusted to me,
05:52and to perform the functions of my office conscientiously, okay, and the best of my ability.
06:00Conscientiously.
06:30Zimbabwe's long-time leader Robert Mugabe tripped on the red carpet at Harare Airport after addressing supporters.
06:38Security rushed to cover cameras, but the footage escaped, becoming one of Africa's most viral presidential clips ever.
06:49Nigeria's Daniel Pondé, head of the Niger Delta Development Commission, fainted while being grilled on live TV about missing oil funds.
06:57The dramatic collapse shocked the room and later turned into an internet meme frenzy.
07:27The farmer used to slam popular picture on both sides.
07:31Birthday Bhalla elbowed listen to the câuble shots.
07:35During a national parade Nigerian president Bola Tinobu slipped while stepping onto a ceremonial seat,
07:42the National Parade at Japan via Shoe and Schweiz.
07:45The national ring was pushed to jerk off and built around НА,
07:49the country produced charges�장 of women as Nicole to attract racers,
07:53Ugarian President Bola Tinubu slipped while stepping onto a ceremonial vehicle.
07:58He recovered immediately, but the clip flooded social media within minutes, tagged hashtag
08:04TinubuTrip across platforms.
08:06At the resume of the Rebuing Officer, the special guest of honor and Rebuing Officer
08:11for today's historic occasion, S.L.N.C. President Ashiwaju Bola met Tinubu GCFR was born on
08:1829th...
08:19At a sports ceremony, Uganda's Vice President Moses Ali attempted to kick a ball, but lost
08:25balance and fell.
08:27Cameras caught the moment as he laughed it off, turning what could have been awkward into
08:31light-hearted entertainment.
08:49Amid rumors of polygamy, Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki publicly declared on live TV, I have
08:57only one wife, Lucy.
09:00The bold outburst became an instant classic, and Lucy herself soon appeared beside him,
09:05nodding firmly.
09:06Welcome to this press conference.
09:11This is my wife, Lucy.
09:16And I want to state something that I have wanted you to hold dear and permanently in your heart.
09:29You know, and I know, and everybody else knows that I am married and I have only one wife.
09:41And everyone in Kenya knows it, but the media keeps repeating about my having another wife or wives.
09:55I want to make it very clear that I have only one dear wife, Lucy, who is here, and I do not have any other.
10:14At the regional summit, President Keir confused Rwanda's and Tanzania's leaders' names.
10:19His aides cringed, others chuckled, and the clip trended as the ultimate summit slip.
10:24Your Excellency, Samaya Suluhu, President of the United Republic of Rwanda, of Tanzania.
10:41Your Excellency, Felix Kishikedi, representing President of Uganda, of Congo.
10:58Cameras caught Cameroon's ageing leader, President Paul Baia, looking lost and unsure where to sit during a session in Washington.
11:15The video sparked global sympathy and reflection on his 40-plus years in power.
11:21He does not even know his aides keep explaining what he needs to do and telling him how important the event is.
11:29And he does not even know, he just keeps fiddling with the paper in front of him.
11:33This is the sound of the president that we have running most African countries.
11:41He has introduced you.
11:51He has introduced you.
11:52He has introduced you.
11:53He has introduced you.
11:54He has introduced you.
11:55He has introduced you.
11:56I do not speak now.
11:57I do not speak now.
11:59I do not speak now.
12:01High-ranking official Balthazar Ngonga was implicated in a scandal abroad involving misconduct allegations.
12:07It made international headlines and embarrassed Equatorial Guinea's government.
12:13During Zimbabwe's 2025 budget speech, a sudden power outage plunged parliament into darkness.
12:20President Emerson Menangagwa was escorted out as the moment went viral across social media.
12:26Officials later attributed the outage to lightning.
12:29After a coup in Gabon, President Ali Bongo recorded a video plea asking the world to make noise for his release.
12:48The clip, confused, emotional and raw, became a defining image of his fall from power.
12:55I'm Ali Bongo, president of Gabon.
13:00And I'm to send a message to all the friends that we have all over the world to tell them to make noise, to make noise.
13:09For the people here have arrested me and my family.
13:14My son is somewhere.
13:16My wife is in another place.
13:19And I'm at the residence.
13:21Right now, I'm at the residence.
13:26And nothing is happening.
13:29Nothing is happening.
13:30I don't know what's going on.
13:32So I'm calling you to make the noise.
13:36To make noise.
13:38To make noise, really.
13:40I'm thanking you.
13:47While reading ANC membership figures, President Zuma kept losing track mid-sentence, fumbling through digits.
13:54Even supporters laughed.
13:56A reminder that even presidents can trip over their own stats.
13:59We announced that our membership...
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