Mandela Keeps Political Opinions To Himself On His 88th Birthday
Jacob Cherian - All Headline News Staff Writer Johannesburg, South Africa (AHN) - South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 88th birthday on Tuesday. However, Mr. Mandela is keeping quiet following bitter clashes with his successor, Thabo Mbeki. Mandela was told to stop interfering in government policy. Mark Gevisser, author of a biography on Mbeki told the Guardian, "It's possible he threw up his hands and concluded his moment had come and gone." The former President's views on key national policies and international issues are now unvoiced. Old age mixed with spending more time with his family has also disallowed the "world's most powerful moral voice" from being involved politically. Tony Leon, leader of the Opposition Democratic Alliance, had regrets about the fading voice of Mandela: "He's here but not her. He turns up for photo-ops but doesn't say much. We're impoverished by that." In his message to children a day before his birthday, Mr. Mandela encouraged them to study well and prodded the wealthy to help out poor children when it comes to education. Needless to say, he refrained from political issues in his discourse. However, it appears there is no consensus on why Nelson Mandela has gone quiet. One insider told the Guardian, "They are afraid to let him speak of his own accord." The implication being that he might make a faux pas due to his failing concentration. There is also eviden |
