Mandela ends four-nation tour

Mandela ends four-nation tour

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): South African President Nelson Mandela left Malaysia's northern Langkawi island resort yesterday at the end of a successful five-day visit.

During his four-nation tour of the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia, Mandela promoted South African products and sought more foreign investment in his country, which is trying to uplift its impoverished black majority in the post- apartheid era.

His Southeast Asia roadshow reached a climax in Malaysia, one of the most aggressive foreign investors in South Africa, with an exposure exceeding US$3 billion.

Another $1 billion worth of business deals covering property development, infrastructure and banking were signed here by South African and Malaysian companies.