19 May 1996 - Having heard that the South African team were to make another
attempt on the summit following the great storm, President Nelson Mandela, who
was the expedition patron, called the team, who were then at camp 2 (6500m) and
spoke to team leader Ian Woodall. The call has been edited down.
Ian: "Good morning Mr President. Thank you very much for your kind telephone
call. Over."
President Mandela: "I am so happy that you are attempting to climb Mount Everest
again. Over.
"I am fully behind you. I have a lot of confidence in you and I know you are
going to succeed. The whole of South Africa stands behind you because it is a
significant expedition and I wish you all the luck. Over. "
