Mandela Gesture Stuns Archrival

In an announcement that provoked uncertain laughter in the Senate, President Nelson Mandela on Friday appointed his archrival, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, to stand in as acting president when Mandela leaves the country this weekend.

The president said he had chosen his longtime rival because he was a “highly competent and experienced leader.”

For his part Buthelezi, the fiery leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, said he was filled with awe by the president’s gesture and hoped nothing would happen to show that he “did not deserve such trust.”