Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top
Former South African president Nelson Mandela is pictured in Johannesburg, on October 26, 2005/AFP

Africa

Mandela remains in ‘intensive care’

“The president will visit him when it’s appropriate,” he said, adding that Zuma does not want “to invade that space willy-nilly”.

Mandela, who turns 95 next month, is back in hospital two months after being discharged in April following treatment for pneumonia.

He has not been seen in public since the World Cup final in South Africa in July 2010, and has not been politically active for years.

“It’s time to let him go,” was the stark front-page headline in the Sunday Times newspaper, reflecting the mood of many in the country.

Fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu joined the legions of local and international personalities wishing the ailing leader a speedy recovery.

“As the beloved father of our nation … once again endures the ravages of time in hospital our prayers are for his comfort and his dignity,” a statement from Desmond and Leah Tutu’s foundation said.

While Twitter users expressed sadness and urged a quick recovery, they were also prepared for the worst.

“It’s time to let Nelson Mandela go. He has served his country. Let him rest with dignity and a legacy that will never die,” tweeted Ketha Msane.

Mandela’s departure is unlikely to unsettle the day-to-day running of South Africa, according to analyst Daniel Silke.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

But his passing may unnerve the markets in the face of a rising wave of labour unrest and pressure on the rand.

“The illness of Nelson Mandela and his potential passing doesn’t come at a good time for the country economically and could create a degree of instability in the markets,” said Silke.

It’s time to let Nelson Mandela go. He has served his country. Let him rest with dignity and a legacy that will never die, tweeted Ketha Msane.

As well as being diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis, Mandela has also had treatment for prostate cancer and suffered stomach ailments.

In December, he spent 18 days in hospital, his longest stay since walking free from an apartheid prison in 1990.

In March he was admitted for a scheduled overnight check-up before returning later that month for 10 days suffering from pneumonia.

President Zuma in March appeared to prepare the nation for Mandela’s passing, saying it “should be thinking about” his going home.

After serving just one term as president, Mandela turned his energy to the battle against AIDS and conflict resolution, before stepping out of the public eye a decade ago at the age of 85.

About The Author

Pages: 1 2

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News