NELSON MANDELA TO ATTEND WORLD CUP, SAYS PARTY

SOUTH Africa's ruling party says that Nelson Mandela will attend the opening and closing matches of the World Cup.

African National Congress spokesman, Jackson Mthembu, said yesterday that Mandela's office said he would attend both events. A spokesman at Mandela's foundation would not confirm the report, stating that the foundation does not disclose Mandela's schedule ahead of time for security reasons.

The 91-year-old former president retired from public life in 2004. But he made a surprise appearance last year at a rally before the national election.

Mandela has strong links to sports in South Africa after he famously appeared at the 1995 rugby World Cup final wearing the green and gold jersey of the Springboks, the country's national rugby team.