Mandela too tired for cup

Nelson Mandela will skip the opening ceremony of the World Cup finals in South Africa in June, his grandson said yesterday.

Asked if the 91-year-old former South African President would attend, Chief Mandla Mandela replied: "Certainly not. My grandfather at this age is very elderly and we are not trying to intensify his programme. He's said he would prefer to be at home. What we understand is that during the World Cup, he will be given the opportunity to rest in the countryside."