MANDELA ATTENDED ANC RALLY AT OWN REQUEST

The ANC has noted a report in the Sunday Times today (22 February 2009) regarding the attendance of former President Nelson Mandela at an ANC rally in Idutywa last weekend.

Contrary to what is implied in the report, it was Mandela himself that asked that a rally be organised in the Eastern Cape for him to attend.

Suggestions that he was ‘paraded' at the rally, or somehow cooerced into attending, are false and insulting.

The ANC regrets any problems that may have arisen in the arrangement of his travel. It will discuss these matters with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to avoid any confusion in the future.

Statement issued by African National Congress spokesperson, Jessie Duarte, February 22 2009