Nelson Mandela’s still in critical condition in hospital
Former South African President Nelson Mandela remains in critical condition at a Pretoria hospital where he has been hospitalized for more than two weeks.
The news did little to calm nerves as an anxious nation stood vigil.
Mandela has been hospitalized since June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Previously, authorities had described his condition as serious but stable.
But over the weekend – Mandela’s health took a turn for the worse, with the South African president’s office saying he was was in critical condition.
It didn’t show improvement Monday.
“Former president Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital” – Zuma told the nation Monday. “The doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well being and comfort.”
He declined to comment further.
Nelson Mandela.
Speaking to journalists in Johannesburg on Monday, Zuma said that doctors were “doing everything possible” to ensure the 94-year-old’s well-being and comfort on his 17th day in a hospital in capital Pretoria.
Zuma visited Mandela at the hospital on Sunday evening and was informed by the medical team that the former president’s condition had become critical in the past 24 hours.
A statement by the presidency following the hospital visit said – “President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by ANC Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, visited the former President this evening, 23 June in hospital. They were briefed by the medical team who informed them that the former President’s condition had become critical over the past 24 hours.”
Mr Zuma said on Monday he had found Mr Mandela asleep, but had spoken to his wife and medical teams.
“All of us in the country should accept the fact that Madiba (Nelson Mandela’s clan name) is now old. As he ages, his health will… trouble him and I think what we need to do as a country is to pray for him.”
Mac Maharaj, Mr Zuma’s spokesman, told the BBC’s Newshour on Sunday said this was a stressful time for the Mandela family.
“I think there is need to be sombre about the news. There is a need not to hold out false hopes but at the same time let’s keep him in our thoughts and let’s will him more strength” – he said.
Nelson Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe, whom he had with his first wife Evelyn, asked in an interview with CNN on Saturday for the family’s privacy to be respected -
“Other people want to lecture us on how we should behave, and what we should do. Really, it’s our dad, it’s the children’s grandfather. We’ve never had him in our life for the better part of our years. This is in a sense quality and sacred time for us, and I would expect the world to really back off and leave us alone.”