4 Jun 2010

World Cup tug o' war over Mandela

1:07 pm on 4 June 2010

Nelson Mandela has been at the centre of a World Cup tug-o-war between organisers who expect him to attend the tournament kick-off and his family who insist he's too frail to attend the opening ceremony.

The South African government and FIFA have said 91-year-old Mandela would be present for next week's kick-off, but his grandson and family spokesman Mandla Mandela says people have to consider the state of his health.

He's quite sure his grandfather won't be attending the opening match between South Africa and Mexico.

Nelson Mandela's last public appearance was in February on the 20th anniversary of his release from prison.