Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu has announced he is to withdraw from public life. In a nationally televised news conference from Cape Town, he said he wanted to spend more time with his family, although he added that he would honour his existing appointments. Archbishop Tutu played a prominent role role in South Africa's struggle against the whites-only apartheid system. After his 79th birthday in October, he said, he would reduce his work-load to one day a week before retiring. He said that work would be devoted to The Elders, a group appointed by former President Nelson Mandela to tackle the world's most pressing problems. During the 27 years that Mr Mandela was in prison, Archbishop Tutu spoke out against apartheid – and won the Nobel peace prize in 1984 for his efforts. He was chosen by Mr Mandela to chair South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and investigate the crimes committed by all sides during the apartheid regime.