Mandela keeps opinions to himself

He still attends public events and lends his name to numerous causes but when it comes to politics, Nelson Mandela, perhaps the world's most powerful moral voice, has fallen silent.

South Africa is celebrating his 88th birthday on Tuesday in a blaze of affection, but in ignorance of the former President's views on key national and international questions. The silence follows bitter clashes with his successor, Thabo Mbeki, when Mr. Mandela was told to stop interfering in government policy.