UK: LONDON: SECOND DAY OF NELSON MANDELA'S VISIT

(10 Jul 1996) English/Nat
On day two of his state visit to the U-K, President Nelson Mandela continued to pack engagements into his schedule.
Rising early to plant a commemorative tree in St James' park, Mandela went on to meet the Commonwealth Secretary General, address business leaders and lunch with the Prime Minister.
Later, he attended a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace, in which he was showered with honorary academic degrees.
South Africans and Londoners once again turned out to greet the man who smashed apartheid.
On the second day of his visit to Britain, Nelson Mandela attended a symbolic tree-planting ceremony in St. James' Park, near Buckingham Palace.
The event took place early morning -- around 7.30 local time.
Mandela's packed schedule and his habit of rising at dawn meant he was scheduled for three engagements before 9am.
His magnetic personality and attempts to unite black and white South Africans into a 'rainbow' nation have charmed the British people.
He has been warmly welcomed by the public and by royalty.
At a splendid state banquet at the Palace, Tuesday evening, Britain's Queen Elizabeth, hailed the former political prisoner as the saviour of South Africa.
But beneath the smiles and flag waving is a serious side to the President's visit. Top of his agenda is an attempt to boost British investment in his country.
He pointed to the newly planted tree as a symbol of the growing bond between his country's fledgling democracy and the United Kingdom.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
This is very symbolic because I now have something concrete which links me with Britain. I wish I had the means and resources to come here almost every week and water this tree.
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President
Showing no sign of fatigue, despite yesterday's numerous engagements, and a busy second day ahead, the 78-year-old Mandela delighted crowds by dancing with a traditional South African band.
Dennis Goldberg, jailed with Mandela for life in 1964, was a bomb maker for the A-N-C's underground armed wing.
He spent 21 years in prison before accepting a government offer of freedom in return for denouncing violence. He was released in 1985. Mandela rejected a similar offer and was not released until 1990.
Goldberg, now resident in the U-K, commended his friend's tireless efforts to represent the 'rainbow' nation.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
To see the fulfillment of things we fought for. We survived it - a lot of people died. People were tortured and brutally treated. I'm delighted to see him (Mandela) here. Not simply because he is my friend but because he represents my whole country. It's a tangible demonstration that we can build a future for all our people. We've only just started.
SUPER CAPTION: Dennis Goldberg, Former ANC bomb maker
Later, still showing no sign of slowing down, Mandela arrived at 10 Downing for lunch and talks with John Major.
It was his fourth engagement of the day.
Quizzed at the ensuing news conference on how long he'd remain in office, the President repeated his plans to stand down at the end of his current term.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
I don't think that it is proper, even at the present moment, that a robust country like South Africa should be led by a septuagenarian. I think we need a younger man with a drive who can put this country on a new footing. And we've many such men and women in the leadership of the ANC.
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President
The record number of honorary degrees awarded to one man were handed out in the garden of Buckingham Palace.
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Ha ha go Jamie Bothwell