Mandela asks to go home to Qunu

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 23 (UPI) -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela, hospitalized in January, is feeling better and has asked to go home to his village in Qunu, officials said.

BuaNews, a South African government agency, said Mandela, 92, was flown to the Eastern Cape village from Johannesburg Sunday.

President Jacob Zuma said Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, and a full medical team accompanied Mandela to his village.

"We are pleased that he is now well enough to travel," Zuma said.

Mandela was reportedly in good spirits and happy, and he made his first public appearance last week since being hospitalized.

Zuma thanked the public for respecting Mandela's privacy and asked people to continue to do so.