Mandela to speak at Toivo bash

FORMER South African president Nelson Mandela is to deliver a speech during the birthday celebration of Swapo leader Andimba Toivo ya Toivo on Saturday.

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Nangolo Mbumba, confirmed yesterday that Mandela is among several speakers lined up to honour the fellow Robben Island inmate. The tele-conference address will be one of the rare public appearances for Mandela, who has retired and retreated to complete his memoirs of the past 14 to 15 years since his last autobiography.About 5 000 people are expected to attend the 80th birthday bash of the Minister of Prisons and Correctional Services to which the general public has been invited.Mbumba said they hoped to get a statement from President Sam Nujoma, while Robben Island inmates would be represented by a guest from South Africa.The tele-conference address will be one of the rare public appearances for Mandela, who has retired and retreated to complete his memoirs of the past 14 to 15 years since his last autobiography.About 5 000 people are expected to attend the 80th birthday bash of the Minister of Prisons and Correctional Services to which the general public has been invited.Mbumba said they hoped to get a statement from President Sam Nujoma, while Robben Island inmates would be represented by a guest from South Africa.