Mandela Memorial, "a festival of unofficial networking"

The memorial service for Nelson Mandela gave many of the world's leaders the opportunity to engage in a festival of unofficial networking.

Some of the most remarkable were caught on camera, for instance Barak Obama shaking the hand of Cuba's President Raul Castro, and of course, the photograph taken by the US president of himself , British Prime Minister, David Cameron and Denmark's leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

But it's now emerged that Romanian's Premier, Victor Ponta also did his share of networking.

The picture shows three smiling, well-presented men talking easily. The world's most powerful politician, Barak Obama; the UK's controversial former leader, Tony Blair, and Romania's Victor Ponta.

Mr Ponta was so pleased with the image he put it up on his Facebook page.

Postare by Victor Ponta.

But this was no chance meeting. Tony Blair is one of the world's most active networkers.

Since standing down from the British Premiership in 2007 he has taken on several high profile jobs.

He is UN official envoy on the Middle East. He has also set up Tony Blair Associates - an organisation that according to its prospectus - provides strategic advice on political and economic trends and governmental reform.

Some see this as a body that works to offer advice to governments on how to improve their international image.

It is reported that Mr Ponta approached Tony Blair earlier this year to discuss the possibility of Romania joining another of the latter's groups, the Global Network of Delivery Leaders.

Mr Blair remains a controversial figure in Britain for his pivotal role in the invasion of Iraq. And also he has been criticised in the British media for the millions of euros he earns each year from his various activities.

While clearly having enjoyed his meetings in South Africa, Prime Minister Ponta was obliged to defend himself back in Romania after Parliament approved a bill to protect MPs against corruption charges. He's reported to have said that he didn't know anything about it because he was in South Africa at the time.

The US embassy in Bucharest issued a statement criticising the decision, and commentators have noted that there may be a paradox in Romania seeking to join organisations encouraging greater transparency and openness in government, while its MPs are seeking to indemnify themselves.

Mr Blair's spokesman said that the former Prime Minister does not have a contract with the Romanian government.