New book about Mandela unveiled in South Africa

A new book detailing the anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela's life was released here Tuesday.

"His spirit is very, very strong, even if Mandela is sick on his bed," said Mandela's daughter Makaziwe Mandela while addressing the Mandela opus launching ceremony in Johannesburg, Xinhua reported.

"The story of his life has to be repeated and told over and over again," she added.

Praising the "exceptional" book at the ceremony, Mandela's grandson Ndaba Mandela said, "It is quite really something prestigious, something very well crafted."

The book chronicles the life and times of Mandela.

Approximately 50 percent of the book was said to be what has never been seen before.

Many dignities attended the launching ceremony in Johannesburg, including Mandela's wife Graca Machel and Minister of Public Service and Administration Lindiwe Sisulu.

Giving the keynote speech, Sisulu pledged that the government will make history compulsory in all schools so that "children always understand who we are and what we have been through".

Mandela became the first democratically-elected president in 1994 as the apartheid ended, having an honour of the state father in South Africa.

The 95-year-old former president is still fighting his recurring lung infection at his home in Johannesburg after being discharged from hospital in Pretoria Sep 1.