Mandela plans to retire in the spring and spend more time with grandchildren

Jet, Oct 19, 1998

South African President Nelson Mandela says when he retires next spring, he plans to spend more time with his 26 grandchildren so that he can get to know them better.

"I will concentrate on sitting down with my grandchildren. Sometimes, I forget their names," Mandela recently said. "Now I'll be able to remember all their names, to sit down and advise them over any problems that they have."

In addition to working on his memoirs, Mandela said he will remain an active member in his party, the African National Congress, and will help, if called upon, with problems in Africa at the United Nations.

"I am part of Africa, and I will cooperate with the structures that exist in Africa whenever I'm asked to do so," Mandela said. "I am a part of the world, and on a number of occasions I've been asked to play a particular role by the United Nations. I will still do that."