Mbeki going to Zuma speech

2009-06-02 19:11

Cape Town - Former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki will attend President Jacob Zuma's maiden state of the nation address on Wednesday.

"Former president Mandela has indicated that he will be attending. Former president Mbeki has also confirmed," Parliament's media liaison office said on Tuesday.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation confirmed that Mandela would be accompanied by his wife, Graca Machel.

Both Mandela, who turns 91 next month, and Mbeki attended Zuma's inauguration in Pretoria earlier this month.

Mandela boosted the ANC's campaign for the April elections by appearing alongside Zuma at two party rallies, despite being in frail health.

Mbeki however gave no public support to the party who recalled him as president in September after a bitter power struggle with Zuma.

South Africa's last white president, FW de Klerk, was also invited to attend the opening of Parliament but declined, saying he would be in Greece.
 

- SAPA