Nelson Mandela returning to home village

Former South African President Nelson Mandelais leaving Johannesburg on Tuesday to take up residence in his eastern homevillage of Qunu, the country's current leader said Monday.

In a statement Monday, President Jacob Zumasaid Mandela will stay in Qunu indefinitely.

Mandela "is in good health and weconstantly assure him of the love, support and good wishes of millions of SouthAfricans and people around the world," Zuma added.

In February, Mandela was hospitalized for atest to determine the cause of an undisclosed stomach ailment.

Mandela, who turns 94 on July 18, has homesin Johannesburg and Qunu. In recent years, he has spent more and more time inQunu.

Mandela, a Nobel peace laureate who spent 27years in prison for fighting racist white rule, has retired from public life.He became South Africa's first black president in 1994 and served one five-yearterm.