There
was widespread concern saturday as former South African president Nelson
Mandela went back to the hospital. His country’s government through
presidential spokesman, Mac Maharaj, said his medical condition was serious
this time.
was widespread concern saturday as former South African president Nelson
Mandela went back to the hospital. His country’s government through
presidential spokesman, Mac Maharaj, said his medical condition was serious
this time.
The 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero and the country’s first
black president was taken to hospital early saturday for a recurring lung
infection. “The situation is serious this time but doctors have assured us
he is comfortable,” Maharaj told television station eNCA.
Maharaj, however, said that the anti-apartheid icon is breathing on his own.
black president was taken to hospital early saturday for a recurring lung
infection. “The situation is serious this time but doctors have assured us
he is comfortable,” Maharaj told television station eNCA.
Maharaj, however, said that the anti-apartheid icon is breathing on his own.
Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, is at the hospital with him. She
canceled her plans to attend the Hunger Summit in London.
South Africa’s first black president gets round-the-clock care, and his house
is retrofitted with medical equipment that mirrors that of an intensive care
unit.
canceled her plans to attend the Hunger Summit in London.
South Africa’s first black president gets round-the-clock care, and his house
is retrofitted with medical equipment that mirrors that of an intensive care
unit.
Mandela,
has become increa-singly frail over the years and has not appeared in public
since South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010. Despite his rare public
appearances, news of his ailment spark concerns worldwide.
has become increa-singly frail over the years and has not appeared in public
since South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010. Despite his rare public
appearances, news of his ailment spark concerns worldwide.
“I
think the concern, the anxiety shown by people throughout the world and South
Africa is perfectly understandable,” Maharaj said. “I think it is
also true simultaneously that people have come to terms with his age. The most
important thing is that we should realize that this is a life that we need to
celebrate, even when he’s with us. And we will celebrate it, even when he is
not with us.”
think the concern, the anxiety shown by people throughout the world and South
Africa is perfectly understandable,” Maharaj said. “I think it is
also true simultaneously that people have come to terms with his age. The most
important thing is that we should realize that this is a life that we need to
celebrate, even when he’s with us. And we will celebrate it, even when he is
not with us.”
This is
the fourth hospital stay in seven months for Mandela, who turns 95 next month.
His history of lung problems dates to when he was a political prisoner on
Robben Island, South Africa during apartheid, and he has battled respiratory
infections over the years.
the fourth hospital stay in seven months for Mandela, who turns 95 next month.
His history of lung problems dates to when he was a political prisoner on
Robben Island, South Africa during apartheid, and he has battled respiratory
infections over the years.
Last
year, he spent Christmas holidays undergoing treatment for a lung infection and
gallstones, one of his longest hospital stays since his release from prison in
1990.
year, he spent Christmas holidays undergoing treatment for a lung infection and
gallstones, one of his longest hospital stays since his release from prison in
1990.
Despite
rare public appearances in recent years, Mandela retains his popularity and is
considered a hero of democracy in South Africa. Last year, the country launched
a new batch of banknotes with a picture of a smiling Mandela on the front, a
testament to his iconic status.
rare public appearances in recent years, Mandela retains his popularity and is
considered a hero of democracy in South Africa. Last year, the country launched
a new batch of banknotes with a picture of a smiling Mandela on the front, a
testament to his iconic status.
Meanwhile
the White House sent good wishes yesterday to Mandela. “Our thoughts and
prayers are with him, his family and the people of South Africa as he
recovers,” US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said.
the White House sent good wishes yesterday to Mandela. “Our thoughts and
prayers are with him, his family and the people of South Africa as he
recovers,” US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said.
President
Barack Obama, who has often called Mandela an inspirational figure, was
concluding two days of informal talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping
in California.
Barack Obama, who has often called Mandela an inspirational figure, was
concluding two days of informal talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping
in California.
Source: Thisday
