[ 2011-05-23 ]

Nelson Mandela travels to home village in South Africa
Nelson Mandela has travelled to his childhood
village in South Africa's Eastern Cape in his
first trip since he was hospitalised in January.

The 92-year-old former president flew to Qunu from
Johannesburg with a full medical team.

The BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg says news of
the trip has raised fresh concerns about his
health.

However, his great grandson said he had seen Mr
Mandela last week and urged well-wishers not to
panic.

Speaking at an event in Johannesburg to promote
Mandela Day in July, Luvuyo Mandela said the fact
that his great-grandfather had been well enough to
travel was testimony to his good health, given his
advanced years.

Mr Mandela is now said to be resting at home in
Qunu with his wife, Graca Machel, after he was
transferred from the airport in a convoy of 12
vehicles on Sunday night.

South African President Jacob Zuma said he was
"pleased that [Mandela] is now well enough to
travel".

Home vote
The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been recovering
at his residence in Johannesburg after being
treated for an acute respiratory infection earlier
this year.

He has not appeared at a public engagement since
the closing ceremony of the football World Cup in
Johannesburg in July 2010.

Last week, he voted from home in South Africa's
regional elections.

Mr Mandela, who is a hero to many in South Africa
and around the world for his long fight against
white minority rule, has appeared increasingly
frail since he retired from public life in 2004.

He stood down as president in 1999 after serving
one term, handing over to Thabo Mbeki.

Upon leaving prison in 1990 after 27 years in
jail, he led the African National Congress party
to a landslide victory in 1994 - the first time
South Africa's black majority was allowed to vote.

Source - BBC

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