Instead the message comes through in code, where she urges South Africa to build on icon Nelson Mandela’s legacy and use its influence on  global issues such as Syria, Iran and Zimbabwe.

In fact of course, South Africa has been almost consistently on the morally wrong side in these matters.
Clinton welcomed  South Africa’s support last week on a   United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Syria and the Assad regime’s reign of terror.

“I hope this vote can be the foundation for a new level of co-operation”, she said. The background  is that in every previous UN deliberation on Syria, South Africa has toed the unconscionable line of China and Russia, Assad’s supporters.

    The US and South Africa have long-standing differences  over Zimbabwe, despite former President George W Bush’s ill-considered remark that then-President Thabo Mbeki was his “point man” on the issue.

The indulgence shown by Pretoria towards the brutal despotism of Robert Mugabe is an affront to all who value human rights.

There is no doubt Clinton  had Zimbabwe in mind on Wednesday when she said: “When old friends in power become corrupt and repressive, a decision by South Africa to stand on the side of freedom is not a sign that you are giving up on old allies, it’s a reminder to yourselves and the world that your values don’t stop at your borders.”

Will South Africa take the hint? The chances are slim.

Pretoria’s pro-Mugabe bias continues to slant Zimbabwe’s constitutional and electoral future.