Jun 25, 2013

Many well-wishers left messages of support for former South African president Nelson Mandela who remained in critical condition Tuesday.

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. South African President Jacob Zuma confirmed Sunday that Mandela’s condition has become critical since he was admitted to the hospital over two weeks ago for a recurring lung infection. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: A poster of Mandela is seen on get well messages outside a Pretoria hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated , June 25, 2013. Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital, the government said on Tuesday. (Mujahid Safodien /Reuters)

: Dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela are posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: A woman places flowers at the base of the wall bearing dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: Dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela are posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: Dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela are posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

: Art work by pre-school children wishing former South African President Nelson Mandela (on poster) well are displayed at the entrance of the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital on June 24, 2013 in Pretoria, where Mandela is staying. (Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images)

: Balloons and letters wishing former South African President Nelson Mandela well are displayed at the entrance of the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital on June 24, 2013 in Pretoria, where Mandela is staying. (Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images)

: A letter wishing former South African President Nelson Mandela well is displayed at the entrance of the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital on June 24, 2013 in Pretoria, where Mandela is staying. (Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images)

: Balloons wishing former South African President Nelson Mandela well float at the entrance of the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital on June 24, 2013 in Pretoria, where Mandela is staying. (Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images)

: A message to former South African President Nelson Mandela rests on flowers laid outside his home in Johannesburg on June 24, 2013. A statement issued by the South African government reported that Mandela’s health was in a critical stage after his condition in hospital worsened over the course of 24 hours. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

: One of 37 police officers places flowers for former South African President Nelson Mandela on June 25, 2013 outside the Mediclinic heart hospital in Pretoria, where the former anti-apartheid leader spent a second night in critical condition. (Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images)

Mandela still ‘critical’: South African government
Reuters
9:59 a.m. EDT, June 25, 2013

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Former South African president Nelson Mandela remained in a critical condition in hospital on Tuesday after being admitted more than two weeks ago with a lung infection, the government said.

President Jacob Zuma’s office said doctors were doing their best to ensure the “recovery, well-being and comfort” of the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader, who became South Africa’s first black leader in historic all-race elections in 1994.

Madiba, as he is affectionately known, is revered among most of South Africa’s 53 million people as the architect of the transition to multi-racial democracy after three centuries of white domination.

However, his latest hospitalization – his fourth in six months – has reinforced a realization that the father of the post-apartheid “Rainbow Nation” will not be around forever.

A deterioration in Mandela’s health this weekend to ‘critical’ from ‘serious but stable’ has caused a perceptible switch in the national mood, from prayers for his recovery to preparations for a fond farewell.

“It would be selfish of us to expect him to live forever,” said 29-year-old Cape Town chef Andisiwe Matiwane. “We need to be mature emotionally and just let nature take its course. We would love for him to be here forever, but it is impossible.”

U.S. President Barack Obama is due to visit South Africa this week as part of a three-country Africa tour. Zuma said on Monday Mandela’s worsening health would not affect the trip.

As preparations for Obama’s visit stepped up in Pretoria, where Mandela is in hospital, senior members of his family met in his ancestral home in the village of Qunu, 700 km (450 miles) south of Johannesburg in the remote Eastern Cape province.

The Sowetan newspaper said the meeting, called by Mandela’s eldest daughter, Makaziwe, was intended to convened to discuss “sensitive family matters” although it did not disclose further details.

Mandela stepped down in 1999 after one five-year term in office. Since then he has divided his time in retirement between Qunu and his home in the wealthy Johannesburg suburb of Houghton.

His last public appearance was waving to fans from the back of a golf cart before the final of the soccer World Cup in Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium in July 2010.

The public’s last glimpse of him was a brief clip aired by state television in April during a visit to his home by Zuma and other senior officials from the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

At the time, the 101-year-old liberation movement, which led the fight against white-minority rule, assured the public Mandela was “in good shape”, although the footage showed a thin and frail old man sitting expressionless in an armchair.

(Reporting by Ed Cropley and Wendell Roelf; Editing by Pascal Fletcher and Angus MacSwan)

2 Comments

Jenny Naidoo
Jul 03, 2013 @ 07:02:47

An Ode to Tata Madiba
My teenage years, sickeningly occupied by thoughtful yearning to change the ways of leaders,
gave me wisdom and courage to move forward.
A young man fully engaged in secret missions, underground caucuses, afraid to be caught yet wanting to be heard,
gave me a window to spread the word.
A family man, determined for success, never giving up the hope of thè wisdom, yet behind bars,
gave me education, secretly seeking freedom for a rainbow nation.
Days spent in darkness, toiling in the hot sun, breathing the air of death,
gave me strength and perseverance to sow the seeds to one day bear fruits of joy, happiness and freedom for all.
An old man I walk into the light, never too late,
I reap the rewards of 1994 and beyond, for faith and belief only strengthens a nation, my country South Africa.
I have conquered, I have won the battle, the power is mine,
But a humble man, a child of God, hate and anger are tattered and torn, love and kindness are newly born in our country South Africa.

Thank you Tata Madiba, Thank You.
We love you Tata Madiba, get well soon.
Jenny Naidoo Centurion

Chris hargreaves
Jun 27, 2013 @ 05:20:53

Dear Mr Mandela
Here in Australia we are so grateful for your achievements and full life. We wish you a joyous journey to god and the great beyond.
Be free Madiba and enrich the afterlife.
Love and peace……
Chris Hargreaves
Melbourne Australia
PS….you have brung hope to a world where hope is at a premium……rest in peace great Madiba…..

Get well wishes for Nelson Mandela who remains in critical condition

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