The Madiba Jive and Madiba Magic, which have wooed nations and brought success and fame to South Africa, are set to disappear gradually from the public limelight.
The country's greatest statesman and talisman, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, is planning to slow down considerably.
His diary is to be lightened over the next few months, shifting more and more of his work on to the three foundations that bear his name.
They are the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Mandela/Rhodes Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
| His diary is to be lightened |
According to sources, a hectic national and international schedule has finally taken an irreversible toll of the energy levels of the 85-year-old Nobel peace laureate.
Sources close to Madiba said this week he was in good health, but "bloody tired".
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This was confirmed by John Samuel, chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, who said that until last year Mandela had hundreds of public appearances on his diary and this had become "quite difficult to manage" for someone of his age.
He will be 86 on July 18.
But Samuel denied that Mandela would be withdrawing completely from public life.
"When Mr Mandela is ready to do so he will announce his retirement from public life."
Mandela, who officially retired from active politics in 1999, has had a hectic schedule over the past five years, lending his name to several charities and foundations that are administered by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
His long-time friend and confidante, Jakes Gerwel, said the number of social engagements on Madiba's diary was "ridiculous" as most of them could be handled by others.
He said he often had to remind Mandela that he was already retired.
Madiba weaved his magic again this weekend when he represented the country's 2010 Soccer World Cup bid in Trinidad. The event has been promised to an African nation and the winner will be announced on May 15. South Africa is one of the main bidders with Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of Saturday Argus on May 01, 2004
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