Former South African president Nelson Mandela is alive and well after comments on Iraq by United States President George Bush appear to have been misunderstood, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said on Friday.
”It appears that his statement has been misunderstood and we wish to assure everyone that Mr Mandela is alive and well and enjoying some rest and relaxation at his home in Johannesburg,” said Achmat Dangor, chief executive of the foundation.
On Thursday Bush was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying: ”I heard somebody say, ‘Now where’s Mandela?’ Well, Mandela is dead. Because Saddam Hussein killed all the Mandelas.”
The comments came during a media briefing.
Dangor, said, ”We know that his statement was made in the context of the difficulty in finding Iraqis capable of resolving the conflict in their country.” – Sapa