Former South African president Nelson Mandela, making his first appearance on television since a hospital stay in February, was shown yesterday receiving a flame marking the centenary of his ruling ANC party.
The 93-year-old anti-apartheid hero, sitting upright in a chair and surrounded by family at his rural home in the town of Qunu, spoke briefly during the ceremony, saying “I used to be the leader of the ANC” and that he was “happy” to see the flame.
Mr Mandela, who was admitted to hospital in February for a keyhole abdominal examination, is now frail and has made few public appearances over the past few years. The last time he was on television was in October last year. – (Reuters)