- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: MICHAEL JACKSON GIVES NEWS CONFERENCE
- Date: 19th July 1996
- Summary: SUN CITY, NORTHERN PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 19, 1996) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. LV/SV POP STAR MICHAEL JACKSON COMES ON STAGE (2 SHOTS) 0.21 2. SV MEDIA (2 SHOTS) 0.28 3. SV JACKSON SAYS HOW HAPPY AND HONOURED HE FEELS TO BE IN SOUTH AFRICA (ENGLISH) 0.41 4. CUTAWAY 0.45 5. SV JACKSON THANKING MANDELA AND THE PEOPLE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND SAYING HE'S LOOKING FOR A HOUSE TO BUY THERE (ENGLISH) 1.14 6. SV JOURNALISTS 1.18 7. SV JACKSON SAYS HE WILL BRING HISTORY TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA IN MID-JANUARY 1997 (ENGLISH) 1.57 8. LV JACKSON ON STAGE 2.03 9. SV JACKSON THANKING SOUTH AFRICAN PEOPLE (ENGLISH)/ LEAVING STAGE 2.34 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
- Embargoed: 3rd August 1996 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SUN CITY, NORTHWEST PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
- Reuters ID: LVA49H1VNHBKYVGBHIW2ZBMXU06Q
- Story Text: INTRO: American pop star Michael Jackson deflated speculation that he would announce plans to build a multi-million dollar theme park or conservation project when he appeared at a news conference in South Africa on Friday (July 19).
Appearing before reporters at the Sun City gambling resort in South Africa, Michael Jackson said he wanted to buy a house in South Africa and would include the country in his upcoming world concert tour.
Friday's (July 19) address billed as an "important announcement for the world" disappointed some who expected the pop star to announce plans for a multi-million dollar theme park or a grandiose conservation project in South Africa.
Instead he expressed thanks for the "wonderful" welcome he had in the country on Thursday (July 18).
"I'd like to thank President Nelson Mandela and the wonderful people of South Africa... I love South Africa. I love it so much I'm looking for a house to buy here," he said.
The real reason for his trip was not clear with his PR department promising only that he would be holding a news conference. He was not due to hold any concerts during his three-day trip.
His visit was organised by Sun City chief operating officer Jerry Inzerillo and (Khoisan X (Editors: spelling correct), a leading member of the black radical Pan Africanist Congress. (The exclamation mark represents a click in the language of the original inhabitants of the region, known as Khoisan or Bushmen.) Jackson, wearing his trademark pancake make-up and ceremonial military uniform, said he would play concerts in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban in mid-January next year as part of his History world tour.
He left the stage without answering questions.
On Thursday the man his publicity agent calls "the king of pop" went to a private birthday party for Mandela in Johannesburg but failed to sing "happy birthday" for him.
Journalists were not allowed into the function but video footage showed Jackson standing silently with Mandela next to a birthday cake while other guests sang.
Mandela, who turned 78 on Thursday, is due to have another meeting with Jackson on Saturday (July 20) before the pop singer leaves.
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