South Africa’s Mandela announces plans to lead ‘a much quieter life’

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon and one of the world’s most revered statesman, Nelson Mandela, announced yesterday that he will be scaling back his public schedule to enjoy “a much quieter life.”

Mandela, who turns 86 next month, said he wanted to spend time with his family and friends, write memoirs about his tenure as South Africa’s first black president, enjoy reading and engage in “quiet reflection”. “My diary and my public activities will, as from today, be severely and significantly reduced,” Mandela said during a farewell press conference at his charity foundation in Johannesburg that was attended by some 100 leading businessmen and political luminaries.”We trust that people will understand our considerations and grant us the opportunity for a much quieter life,” said Mandela, who sported a colourful bush shirt – his sartorial trademark – and a carved African cane.Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid activities, is often called upon to lend his prestige to events including leading the delegation that travelled to Zurich last month to win the right to host the 2010 World Cup.But the Nobel Peace Prize winner has been showing signs of old age, walking at times with a cane and suffering from poor hearing.”I do not intend to hide away totally from the public,” Mandela said, but he made clear that he was no longer able to meet the demands placed upon him for public appearances.”Henceforth I want to be in the position of calling you to ask whether I would be welcome rather than being called upon to do things and participate in events.The appeal therefore is ‘Don’t call me, I’ll call you’,” he said.But he stressed that the work of his three foundations – for children’s rights, AIDS and the promotion of democracy and reconciliation – would not be hampered in any way.His characteristic self-deprecatory wit was also very much on display.Mandela, affectionately known by this clan name “Madiba” signed out with tongue-in-cheek humour, saying “after loafing somewhere on an island and other places for 27 years, the rest is not really deserved” – a reference to his years in prison on Robben Island, in Paarl and Cape Town.- Nampa-AFP”My diary and my public activities will, as from today, be severely and significantly reduced,” Mandela said during a farewell press conference at his charity foundation in Johannesburg that was attended by some 100 leading businessmen and political luminaries.”We trust that people will understand our considerations and grant us the opportunity for a much quieter life,” said Mandela, who sported a colourful bush shirt – his sartorial trademark – and a carved African cane.Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid activities, is often called upon to lend his prestige to events including leading the delegation that travelled to Zurich last month to win the right to host the 2010 World Cup.But the Nobel Peace Prize winner has been showing signs of old age, walking at times with a cane and suffering from poor hearing.”I do not intend to hide away totally from the public,” Mandela said, but he made clear that he was no longer able to meet the demands placed upon him for public appearances.”Henceforth I want to be in the position of calling you to ask whether I would be welcome rather than being called upon to do things and participate in events.The appeal therefore is ‘Don’t call me, I’ll call you’,” he said.But he stressed that the work of his three foundations – for children’s rights, AIDS and the promotion of democracy and reconciliation – would not be hampered in any way.His characteristic self-deprecatory wit was also very much on display.Mandela, affectionately known by this clan name “Madiba” signed out with tongue-in-cheek humour, saying “after loafing somewhere on an island and other places for 27 years, the rest is not really deserved” – a reference to his years in prison on Robben Island, in Paarl and Cape Town.- Nampa-AFP