SOUTH AFRICA - South Africa prepared for the worst Monday, realizing that Nelson Mandela delivered probably his last fight. Hospitalized for 17 days now, the former president is in critical condition.
The hero of the struggle against apartheid and the first black president of South African history "is still in a critical condition in hospital. The doctors are doing everything possible to ensure their well-being and comfort, "said Monday the head of state Jacob Zuma to the international press in Johannesburg.
"I went to the hospital last night (Sunday) (...) given the time, he was already asleep, we saw, we have a little discussion with doctors and his wife Graca Machel. I am not able to get more details, I'm not a doctor, "he said at the briefing long planned to discuss the 2014 elections. The haggard, he confessed that it was "a difficult time."
"Madiba" to celebrate his 95 years on July 18. But he suffered recurrent pulmonary infection that causes suffering for two and a half years. He was hospitalized four times since December.
Anonymous crowd
The Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapasi-Nqakula, who is also in charge of the health of former presidents went to his bedside Monday morning in Pretoria to Mediclinic Heart Hospital. Mandela is also ensured day and night by his wife Graça.
Several members of the family of Nelson Mandela, including his ex-wife Winnie and their two daughters Zindzi and Zenani, also went to the hospital Monday.
An anonymous crowd otherwise ceases to come to his show its commitment by touching tokens, greeting cards, balloons, flowers. Many people admitted accept that Mr. Mandela is not eternal, but most modestly refused to tell the microphones worldwide media present outside the hospital.
Obama on Friday instead
Sunday evening, the White House immediately responded by sending "thoughts and prayers" to Pretoria, while President Barack Obama, also the first black president of the country, is expected Friday night in South Africa. President Jacob Zuma said on Monday morning that Obama's visit was held as planned.
By Sunday evening, the new health Mandela from the Presidency or the family were reassuring, the rumor already announcing his discharge.
Some optimism returned, almost all special envoys sent by the world media had gone home. Former President Thabo Mbeki, near Mandela ensured that his illustrious predecessor was not dying.
Resuscitation?
But on Saturday, the U.S. television network CBS has once again contradicted the official version with alarmist information. According to CBS, his liver and kidneys would operate at 50%, he "reacts" and "did not open her eyes for days."
On CNN, the eldest daughter of former President Mandela Makaziwe denied and said that "he opens his eyes." His lung problems are probably related to the effects of tuberculosis contracted during his stay on the island prison of Robben Island, off Cape Town, where he spent eighteen of the twenty-seven years of detention in jails racist regime of apartheid.
Released in 1990, he received the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize - along with the last president of apartheid, FW de Klerk - to be able to carry out the negotiations to establish a multi-racial democracy in South Africa.
"Invictus"
Mandela was from 1994 to 1999 the first black president of his country, a leader of consensus that has won the hearts of the white minority which had fought the hold on power.
One of the most beautiful gestures of reconciliation back to June 24, 1995, exactly eighteen years: that day, the Springbok rugby team, long a symbol of white power, won the World Cup in Johannesburg . And Nelson Mandela, wearing the team jersey, handed himself the trophy to captain. This episode was immortalized in the Clint Eastwood film "Invictus."
(Ats / Newsnet)
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