Don't call me, says Madiba

2004-06-01 22:32

Lizel Steenkamp

Johannesburg - Hamba kahle, Madiba!

South Africa's much-loved former president Nelson Mandela announced on Tuesday he would be relinquishing his role as the country's elder statesman.

This comes only seven weeks before his 86th birthday.

With a walking stick in his right hand and his personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, at his elbow, Mandela shuffled into the Nelson Mandela Foundation offices in Houghton, Johannesburg, to face a large audience on Tuesday.

"Whew, there are important people here," he joked between greeting people in the front row. He pointed out a good friend in the audience and singled him out as a "trouble-maker".

If Madiba felt any heartache at the time, he didn't show it.

"What I am going to say this morning is more of a request than an announcement.

'Don't phone me - I'll phone you'

"I am sure no one will think I am being selfish if I ask for time with my family, friends and myself while I am still healthy.

"My diary and public appearances will be cut back drastically from today (Tuesday)," he said.

"Among the things that I miss about prison is that, since my release, I get so little time to read, to think and to reflect in silence.

"I don't plan on hiding, but I do want to be in a position to ask you if I am welcome somewhere - instead of being asked to do things or to attend functions.

"Please don't phone me - I'll phone you," said Mandela to loud applause.

With this, he tipped his head and joked: "Isn't it nice to have millionaires applauding you."

Madiba also said he wanted to finish writing his book about his years as president. A third of the book has already been completed.

According to La Grange, Mandela decided to retire two months ago.

Full medical shows he's in good health

"In a way he was a prisoner of his own life. He always felt he owed someone a favour and the pressure got too much.

"There are always people wanting to speak to him and he never had time to switch off. He now wants to rest."

Three weeks ago, Mandela underwent a full medical examination. La Grange allayed all fears that something was wrong. She said he was in good health.

Mandela still has four or five public appearances to make. These had been confirmed way in advance.

But, La Grange said, in future he would decide what he wanted to do. "We are not going to respond to requests."

In future, the country's icon will spend his time between his homes in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Mozambique and Limpopo.

- Beeld