NAMES IN THE NEWS : ‘I Feel 36,’ Mandela, 72, Says
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Nelson Mandela, celebrating his 72nd birthday upon his return home from a triumphant international tour, says he feels half his age.
“I feel like a boy of 36, and the present I would like to have is votes for all,” said Mandela, who looked tired after his six-week tour of 14 nations, including the United States.
Mandela was greeted by about 200 supporters and relatives on Wednesday, his first birthday in freedom after 27 years in a South African prison for fighting the country’s white-minority government.
The African National Congress leader says he hopes to see President Frederik W. de Klerk in the next few days to set up talks leading to full-scale negotiations on ending apartheid.
“There is no doubt that apartheid is crumbling,” he said.
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