Mandela Cheered in Zimbabwe; Aides Cite Pace, Cut His Schedule
Black nationalist leader Nelson R. Mandela flew to Zimbabwe on Sunday on the second leg of a foreign tour, but aides concerned about his ability to maintain the grueling pace scaled back his schedule.
Mandela received a red-carpet welcome from President Robert Mugabe, who hugged the recently freed prisoner as he stepped off a Zambian Airways flight from Lusaka. Mugabe then led him through a reception line that took nearly an hour to traverse.
With a slow wave of his arm, Mandela, 71, silenced a cheering crowd of more than 3,000 well-wishers who turned out to greet him. He then delivered a 15-minute address.
The black nationalist has yet to enjoy a day off since his Feb. 11 release from 27 years of imprisonment. He kept up a grueling schedule during his five days in Lusaka.
From Harare, Mandela is scheduled to fly to Tanzania to visit ANC military training bases. Although no official changes have been announced, it appears that Mandela will then return to South Africa, cutting short his 17-day journey and delaying a visit with ailing ANC President Oliver Tambo in a Stockholm clinic.
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