Tea with Mandela auctioned on web

The chance to drink tea with Nelson Mandela is to be auctioned on eBay later this year to raise money for a heart unit at a Johannesburg hospital.

The announcement was made as the South Africa statesman prepares to celebrate his 88th birthday next week.

Singing lessons from South African diva Miriam Makeba and bungee jumping with cricketer Shaun Pollock will also feature in the 6-16 November auction.

Organisers hope to raise some 80m rand ($11m) for the children's heart centre.
This would pay for about 800 operations at the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre.
"I was informed that Mr Tiger Woods recently fetched $1.3 million for a round of golf. I am convinced that tea with Mr Mandela... can exceed this target," said Lungi Sisulu, son of anti-apartheid activist Walter Sisulu.

Former US President Bill Clinton pledged some 200,000 rand ($28,000) as he toured the clinic with Mr Mandela.

"When you reach a certain point and you have had your struggles and you have had your successes, all of a sudden the most important thing becomes that no child should die without having had the chance to live his or her dreams and make their own mistakes too," Mr Clinton said.

source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5177778.stm