health – Page 2 – praag.org

ANC finds Winnie Mandela’s comments ‘regrettable’

The ANC was unaware that the family of former statesman Nelson Mandela was unhappy about a publicised visit President Jacob Zuma made to Mandela’s house shortly after he was released from hospital in April, the party said in a statement on Sunday.

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said comments made by Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela about the visit were regrettable.

“As the ANC we are in contact on a daily basis with the Mandela family and these issues that have been publicly aired by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela have not been raised in any of these occasions,” said Mthembu.

The AFP reported on Sunday that Madikizela-Mandela told Britain’s ITV News television that the visit by Zuma and other ANC delegates was insensitive.

“I honestly cannot put in words how hurt the family was. It was one of the most insensitive things for anyone to have done,” she was quoted as saying.

Zuma said at the time Mandela was “up and about”, a description that was clearly at odds with televised footage that showed the revered ex-leader frail and dazed, sitting frozen in an armchair, said the AFP.

Prior to the visit, Mandela had been out of the public eye for some time.

In excerpts published on the ITV website, Madikizela-Mandela added: “It compromised the family, compromised his dignity and it should have never been done.”

Mthembu said the visit was one of many that the ANC had made to Mandela to continue to show support to him and his family.

“We have to demonstrate [an] active interest in the life of [former] President Mandela who remains our leader and our icon,” said Mthembu.

He said the ANC would continue to pray for Madiba who was in a critical but stable condition at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.

Mandela has been in hospital since June 8 and is being treated for a recurring lung infection. – Sapa

De Klerk cuts short European visit, prays for Mandela

Former president FW de Klerk has cut short his Europe trip because of former president Nelson’s Mandela’s ill-health, De Klerk’s foundation said on its website on Saturday.

“Mr FW de Klerk and his wife Elita have decided to suspend their current working visit and holiday in Europe because of Mr Mandela’s medical condition,” it said.

“They will arrive back in Cape Town tomorrow. Their thoughts are with the Mandela family during this difficult time and they join in the prayers for an improvement in Mr Mandela’s health.”

There was no further information on whether De Klerk would be visiting Mandela.

It has been three weeks since Mandela was admitted to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.

On Saturday, President Jacob Zuma said his condition was still critical but stable.

“We’re hoping that it [Mandela’s health] is going to improve,” Zuma said at a press briefing on Saturday.

“I think with all the prayers and good wishes that are being made, certainly it would do something.” – Sapa

Mandela’s health overshadows Obama visit

Scene at the Medi-clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria

by Laszlo Trankovits

“Viva Mandela! Viva Mandela!” sing the colourfully dressed women dancing in front of the hospital in Pretoria. Children bring pictures they have drawn, teddy bears, dolls and balloons, while adults lay down bouquets and greeting cards.

The closely guarded hospital is increasingly a place of pilgrimage. Behind its walls, national hero Nelson Mandela is struggling for his life.

At night, candles burn in front of the hospital. People are often seen praying together. During the day there is a lot of singing, especially the old anthems of the ANC liberation movement, now South Africa’s ruling party.

Everyone praises the achievements of the now seriously ill former president. A wealthy businessman was permitted to release 100 white doves into the sky on Tuesday in recognition of the work towards reconciliation of the father of South African democracy.

All of South Africa is agitated. Whether in offices, businesses or government offices, in the huts of townships such as Khayelitsha or the luxury villas in Camps Bay and Constantia: Everywhere, radios and televisions chatter constantly, everyone following the news spellbound.

The fate of the grand old man of South Africa is on everyone’s lips. “Let him die with dignity at last,” Cape Town businesswoman Glini Le Roux said, articulating what many are thinking.

The media, who have besieged the hospital for weeks in tents, caravans and satellite vans, have come in for criticism. Mandela’s eldest surviving daughter Makaziwe called foreign journalists camped outside the building “vultures” who were “waiting for the last carcasses.”

“There is an element of racism to their attitude. That is the image that we have as a family,” she said in a TV interview.

Mandela’s struggle is increasingly affecting public life. South Africa’s politicians have put aside all their plans. After President Jacob Zuma hurried to Mandela’s bedside on Wednesday, he announced he would not take part in a regional summit in Mozambique.

Many took this as a sign that Mandela was now dying – or even already dead, as some sensationalist reports had it. On Thursday, there was a surprise: Following his second visit to Mandela’s bedside in 24 hours, Zuma reported his condition had improved.

Mandela’s health has weighed on the visit of US President Barack Obama, who is expected in Johannesburg on Friday with an entourage of about 1,000 people.

“The US diplomats here are deeply concerned,” one of them said, given what would happen in the event of Mandela’s death and the subsequent national mourning.

They know that if Mandela died, the president’s agenda, with a visit to Soweto, academic honors in Johannesburg and Cape Town and a keynote speech in Cape Town – probably on the future of Africa – would be impossible. – dpa

Mandela’s condition improves: South African presidency

Former president Nelson Mandela’s condition has improved, the presidency said on Thursday.

“President Jacob Zuma visited former president Nelson Mandela in hospital in Pretoria today, 27 June, and was informed by the medical team that Madiba’s condition has improved during the course of the night.

“He remains critical, but is now stable.”

Zuma added: “I cancelled my visit to Mozambique today so that I can see him and confer with the doctors. He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night.

“The medical team continues to do a sterling job. We must pray for Tata’s health and wish him well. We must also continue with our work and daily activities while Madiba remains hospitalised.”

The presidency’s update contrasted with remarks by Mandela’s eldest daughter that her father did not look well and that the family was living in uncertainty.

“Yes. Tata’s [father] situation is critical. I’m not going to lie. He does not look good,” Makaziwe Mandela said.

She told SABC television she last visited Mandela on Wednesday.

“I can reiterate that Tata is very critical, that anything is imminent, but I want to emphasise again that it is only God who knows when the time to go is.” – Sapa

Everyone must be a Mandela: Trevor Manuel

Every person must remember the contribution former president Nelson Mandela has made to the country, Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel said on Thursday.

“I think that is what is important to remember,” he said in Johannesburg.

“We must carry forward his legacy… Everyone has to be a Nelson Mandela.”

Whatever Madiba had worked to achieve, including democracy, was a success.

Manuel said Mandela’s physical presence was only one part of it.

“We… understand that his physical presence is only one part of it… his spiritual presence [must] live on,” he said.

The elderly statesman, 94, is in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital, where he was admitted with a recurring lung infection on June 8. – Sapa

‘Mandela needs ancestors’ help’

Traditional healers in Limpopo held a ceremony at the ANC’s offices in Polokwane on Thursday to pray for former president Nelson Mandela who is critically ill in a Pretoria hospital.

African National Congress Limpopo task team chairman Falaza Mdaka said the traditional healers had asked to perform a ritual at the offices, as it was Mandela’s “home”.

Mdaka said Mandela was a special person and the world still needed him.

“We are pleading for him to continue to be with us. We understand that he is old,” he said.

Tradition healers sang struggle songs and burnt incense, calling on the ancestors to heal the country’s beloved statesman.

“Mandela needs ancestors’ help,” said one of the healers, Sylvester Hlathi.

Mandela, 94, was admitted to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on June 8 for treatment of a recurring lung infection.

The presidency has said that his condition remains critical. – Sapa

Golfers hope for Mandela recovery

The Sunshine Tour’s professional golfers showed their support for ailing former president Nelson Mandela by wearing beaded South African flags during the first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf tournament at Selborne Park Golf Club in KwaZulu-Natal.

Jean Hugo, a 13-time winner on tour sported the flag on his cap on Wednesday.

Mandela was known, over the years, to phone South Africa’s top golfers when they achieved internationally.

Shortly after he was admitted to hospital on June 8 for treatment of a recurring lung infection, South Africa’s most successful golfer post 1992, Ernie Els, said Mandela had often contacted him earlier in his career.

“When I won a lot of tournaments in the ’90s and early part of the 2000s, we spoke a lot on the telephone,” Els said in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, where he was preparing to play in the US Open.

“He always felt proud of what the sporting athletes out of South Africa did for the country, you know, winning worldwide events. He always felt very proud of that. Yeah, through that instance we had a really nice relationship.

“We’ll just — we’re hoping for the best. Whatever outcome that might be. I just want him to be well.”

Els said he had not met Mandela for a number of years, but hoped for his recovery.

“Yeah, South Africans, we’re obviously very concerned about President Mandela. He’s 94-years-old now. He’s almost on to his 95th birthday, and he’s been quite ill for a while now.

“So we’re just hoping for the best. I haven’t seen him for quite a few years now. I haven’t seen him for probably seven or eight years now. But we’ve had always a great relationship.” – Sapa

Tight security at Mandela hospital

Nine police officers were manning the entrance of the Pretoria hospital where critically-ill former president was being treated on Thursday.

The officers were screening all vehicles entering the hospital through the Park Street entrance at 6am.

Another police contingent was manning the other entrance on Celliers Street.

Despite the biting cold, local and international media started regrouping outside the hospital after 5am.

A dozen candles burnt through the night next to the Celliers Street entrance.

The candles were placed next to a miniature art gallery established by well-wishers on the security wall of the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital in Arcadia, east of Pretoria.

Numerous passers-by momentarily stopped on Thursday morning, observing the various presents brought for Madiba.

Multicoloured balloons, flowers, pictures and paintings of Madiba, hundreds of get-well-soon cards, flags and banners totally eclipsed the Medi-Clinic signboard at the Celliers Street entrance.

Some of the messages read: “No one knows the time, including Jesus and the angels, only God knows. No one will take you from us except our heavenly father. From Lynel Dlamini”

A message printed in a large frame read: “From the bottom of our hearts, we as Northern Sudanese love you and pray for you. We pray for our hero, our man Madiba to be out of this sickness with all power render[ed] from Allah the Almighty.”

Another well-wisher wrote: “Tata Madiba. You are in my prayers. A father to our country. One we will always look up to. Sending you all my love and well wishes from Cape Town. Love you always. From Charne Snyders”.

Others wrote: “Madiba you are my hero. Will pray forever for you. From Judia Tivane Holm [from] Mozambique”.

“Madiba be well. Long live freedom. Long live Justice. Long live hope. From Shabana Azmi [and] Sandeep Chachna [from] India

“I will always love you Tata. From Johanisa Ruiters. From Noupoort, Northern Cape.”

Before 3am, most journalists had left and only a handful were milling around near the hospital.

Numerous tents, generators, broadcasting cameras on tripods and broadcast vans had become a permanent feature on the street’s sidewalk since Madiba was admitted for a recurring lung infection on June 8.

Tshwane metro police officers were parked near the large fleet of media cars, which occupied all the parking spots near the entrance.

The metro police barricaded Celliers Street, allowing media vehicles and cars of residents of the street.

On Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma left the hospital at 10.15pm in a black BMW. He was escorted by a number of official cars with blue flashing police lights, which waited for him a street away from the hospital’s Park street entrance.

Zuma was followed by Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula in a black Lexus.

Shortly after Zuma’s visit, the presidency said that Zuma had cancelled his visit to Mozambique on Thursday.

“President Zuma has decided to cancel his visit to Maputo, Mozambique tomorrow June 27, where he was due to attend an SA Development Community Summit regional infrastructure investment conference,” spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement. – Sapa

Midnight candles for ailing Mandela

A dozen candles burnt through the night on Thursday at the Pretoria hospital where critically ill former president Nelson Mandela is being treated.

The candles were placed next to a miniature art gallery established by well-wishers on the security wall of the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital in Arcadia, east of Pretoria.

Multicoloured balloons, flowers, pictures and paintings of Madiba, hundreds of get-well-soon cards, flags and banners totally eclipsed the Medi-Clinic signboard at the Celliers Street entrance.

The tributes and messages of support were pasted at the entrance by people from all walks of life, addressed to the celebrated anti-apartheid icon.

Some of the messages read: “No one knows the time, including Jesus and the angels, only God knows. No one will take you from us except our heavenly father. From Lynel Dlamini”

Others wrote: “Madiba you are my hero. Will pray forever for you. From Judia Tivane Holm [from] Mozambique”.

“Madiba be well. Long live freedom. Long live Justice. Long live hope. From Shabana Azmi [and] Sandeep Chachna [from] India

“I will always love you Tata. From Johanisa Ruiters. From Noupoort, Northern Cape.”

Before 3am, most journalists had left and only a few were milling around near the hospital.

After midnight, several news crews, mainly international broadcasters, were doing live crossings near the Celliers Street entrance.

Numerous tents, generators, broadcasting cameras on tripods and outside broadcast vans have become a permanent feature on the street’s sidewalk since Madiba was admitted for a recurring lung infection on June 8.

Tshwane metro police officers were parked near the large fleet of media cars, which occupied all the parking spots near the entrance.

Vehicles were entering the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital sporadically through the entrance along Park Street. The Celliers Street gates were closed for the night.

Late on Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma left the hospital at 10.15pm in a black BMW. He was escorted by a number of official cars with blue flashing police lights, which waited for him a street away from the hospital’s Park street entrance.

Zuma was followed by Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula in a black Lexus.

He arrived at the hospital just before 10pm. Mapisa-Nqakula arrived at 9.30pm.

Shortly after Zuma’s visit, the presidency said that Zuma had cancelled his visit to Mozambique on Thursday.

Earlier in the evening, Mandela’s eldest daughter Makaziwe Mandela left the hospital at 6.20pm in a red Range Rover.

Thirty-five minutes earlier Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela left the hospital after her second visit for the day.

She left at 5.45pm after spending an hour at the hospital.

Two hours earlier, Madikizela-Mandela left at 2.45pm along with Mandela’s daughters Makaziwe and Zindzi Mandela as well as his grandchildren Ndaba and Ndileka Mandela, after arriving at 1.45pm.

Both Madikizela-Mandela’s visits were an hour long, her shortest since the presidency announced the former anti-apartheid icon’s condition deteriorated on Sunday evening.

The country’s former surgeon general, Dr Vejay Ramlakan, arrived at the hospital earlier on Wednesday. He stepped down earlier this year.

He returned in the early evening.

The presidency said on Tuesday that Mandela remained in a critical condition.

“[Mandela’s] condition remains unchanged in hospital, and doctors continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort,” Maharaj said in a statement. – Sapa

Candles burn for ailing Mandela

Cards and flowers for Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria

Burning candles, bouquets of pink and red flowers, paintings and hundreds of messages at the entrance of a Pretoria hospital on Wednesday urged critically-ill former president Nelson Mandela to soldier on.

Well-wishers have consistently registered support for Mandela in different forms, transforming the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital’s security wall into a miniature art gallery.

The celebrated anti-apartheid icon was admitted at the facility in the early hours of June 8 for a recurring lung infection.

The catalogue of presents, get-well-soon cards, mainly handwritten on cardboard, eclipsed the hospital’s signpost at the entrance on Celliers Street.

A card attached to a white teddy bear read: “Dearest Madiba. Thank you for everything you have done for our country. You are and will always be a true legend and a grandfather to all. From Alphonso Tania”.

Another read: “Tata Madiba, the Lord knows the plans of his children. May you get better, but even if you don’t, we will still love you as a nation. [From] Lwandile”.

Three candles were burning slowly near the messages. Many balloons, including several from a popular pizza outlet, were tied with ribbon onto bunches of flowers.

Security at the private hospital has been upscaled since Madiba was admitted.

After 5am on Wednesday, several police officers started screening vehicles entering the facility.

Despite the cold, scores of journalists from local and international media houses stayed outside the hospital.

Several broadcast vans still had their engines running. The news crews also set up generators for back up power.

Tshwane metro police officers parked near journalists on Celliers street. Numerous police patrol cars were also in the area.

Mandela’s home in Houghton was quiet on Wednesday morning, with police cars occasionally patrolling the area.

Around 1.10am three cars and one van from the Johannesburg metro police came down 4th Street, and turned into the street where Mandela’s house is located.

The van at the back of the patrol switched on its hazard lights, reversed and parked in the street in front of the gate before flashing its headlights.

About eight officers got out of the vehicles and had a discussion in front of the gate for 10 minutes before they all got back into the cars and drove off slowly.

Many Mandela family members, politicians, socialites and religious leaders had visited Madiba at the hospital after he was admitted for a recurring lung infection on June 8.

On Tuesday, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Pumla-Makaziwe Mandela visited the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital, in Arcadia, east of Pretoria.

Mapisa-Nqakula arrived in a black Mercedes-Benz with blue flashing police lights shortly before 7pm.

Minutes earlier Mandela’s eldest daughter, Pumla Makaziwe-Mandela, and his granddaughters Tukwini and Ndileka Mandela, arrived at the hospital in a red Range Rover.

Shortly before their arrival, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba left the hospital.

Madiba’s step-daughter Jozina Machel was also at the hospital.

Controversial businessman Kenny Kunene arrived at the hospital’s Celliers street entrance to place flowers and speak to the media.

After Kunene’s visit, more Pretoria metro police officers arrived at the entry point.

They cordoned off Celliers Street where it meets with Park Street.

Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa arrived to check on the police officers and left after a brief discussion with them.

Earlier on Tuesday, the presidency confirmed that Mandela remained in a critical condition.

“[Mandela’s] condition remains unchanged in hospital, and doctors continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, wellbeing, and comfort,” spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement. – Sapa

Less activity at Mandela hospital

A few vehicles were entering and exiting the Pretoria hospital on Tuesday morning where ailing former president Nelson Mandela is in a critical condition.

Hospital security staff attended to the infrequent motorists at the facility’s entrance on Park Street.

The main entrance on Celliers Street was still closed after 3am on Tuesday.

Reporters and technical staff, camping on Celliers Street sidewalks, packed and departed after midnight.

Vehicles belonging to media personnel were left parked near the hospital’s entrance. Private security guards kept an eye on the broadcast equipment.

The usually busy Park Streets, where there is another entrance, was almost deserted. Patrolling police cars with flashing lights were seen at intervals.

Several police officers could be seen inside the hospital.

At midnight, several news crews made up of mainly international broadcasters, were doing live crossings near the Celliers Street entrance.

Several generators for back-up power were running through the night and broadcasting equipment including huge lights and cameras had been set up.

Numerous Mandela family members, politicians and government officials have been visiting the anti apartheid icon.

Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Madiba’s daughter Makaziwe, left the hospital on Monday night.

Sisulu arrived at the hospital just after 6pm in a black Mercedes with blue flashing police lights. She and Makaziwe Mandela left just before 8pm.

Some of Mandela’s relatives left the hospital earlier in the day.

First seen leaving on Monday after a visit was grandson Ndaba Mandela, who arrived shortly after Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and daughter Zindzi Mandela-Motlhajwa.

Earlier in the day, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa arrived separately at the hospital.

On Sunday night presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement that Mandela’s condition had turned critical.

Addressing the media in a briefing, which was initially scheduled as an off-the-record editors’ briefing, on Monday, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela’s condition had not changed.

“Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital and doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort,” Zuma said in Johannesburg.

He and deputy African National Congress president Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mandela at the hospital on Sunday night. – Sapa

80 percent of US packaged foods contain dangerous chemicals

Roughly 80 percent of all the packaged foods sold within the United States contain chemicals outlawed in other parts of the world, Britain’s Daily Mail reports.

Six common food additives found in an estimated 8-out-of-10 products sold in American stores are banned outside of the US, the Mail claims, putting millions of Americans at risk of consuming chemicals considered too dangerous for humans in other countries.

Grocery shop items including best-selling soft-drinks and cereal sold in the US contain additives such as brominated vegetable oil, olestra and others that have been banned in the European Union and elsewhere.

The Daily Mail cites ‘Rich Food, Poor Food,’ a recently published book by Jayson Calton and Mira Calton, as the source for their claim that the majority of American groceries contain the additives.

Among the common items containing the chemicals are Mountain Dew, Chex Mix and Hungry Man frozen dinners, which are made with additives outlawed overseas due to health risks. The Caltons say these products are filled with some of the six “Banned Bad Boys” that are used in America but absent in supermarkets overseas.

“One of the most common ‘Bad Boys’ is different variations of food coloring, which actually is made from petroleum and is found in everyday items like soda, sports drinks, mac and cheese, cake, candy and several other common, American products,” reports the Daily Mail. One of the chemicals in that food coloring, they add, has been proven to cause various different cancers. Those artificial dyes have been outlawed in Norway, Finland, Austria, France and the United Kingdom

Another additive, brominated vegetable oil, has been banned in over 100 countries because it’s been linked to causing major organ damage, birth defects and hearing loss, among other side effects. Brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, is used in Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Powerade and Squirt — and around 10 percent of all drinks sold in the US.

A petition started earlier this year to get BVOs out of beverages sold in the US received over 206,000 signatures on the website Change.org.

“BVO is banned other places in the world, so these companies already have a replacement for it,” the petition’s author, Sarah Kavanagh, told The New York Times. “I don’t see why they don’t just make the switch.”

Another additive, potassium bromate, is used in American bakeries to speed up the process of preparing wraps, rolls and other bread products. It’s derived from the same chemical as BVO, though, and has been tied to causing kidney damage and cancer. That’s why it’s been outlawed in Europe, Canada and China, but not in the US.

Also on the Calton’s list is azodicarbonamide, a chemical the Daily Mail notes is used to make things like bleach and rubber yoga mats.

Azodicarbonamide is “approved to be a bleaching agent in cereal flour” and is “permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption,” according to the Food and Drug Administration. Along with waxy preservatives called butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) used in bubble gums, though, the additive has been banned in parts of Europe for potential health risks.

Rounding out the authors’ ‘Bad Boys’ list are Synthetic growth hormones rBGH and rBST and the chemical arsenic. They’ve both been banned in the EU for a variety of reasons, and perhaps for good reason: the arsenic put in American poultry can kill a human being if consumed in a high enough dosage.- RT

Mandela responding well to treatment: South African cabinet

Medi+ClinicHeart+hospital+Pretoria — The Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria

Former president Nelson Mandela is responding well to treatment, Cabinet said on Thursday.

In a statement following its regularly fortnightly meeting, Cabinet wished Mandela a speedy recovery and reassured the nation he was receiving the best medical care.

“Cabinet is pleased that he is responding well to treatment and reiterates the request for the media and the public to respect the privacy of the former president and his family during this period.” – Sapa

Mandela ‘responding to treatment’: Zuma

Former president Nelson Mandela is responding well to the treatment he is receiving, President Jacob Zuma told MPs on Wednesday.

“Madiba is responding better to treatment from this morning,” he said, opening debate in the National Assembly on the presidency’s budget vote.

Zuma said government appreciated the messages of support for Mandela that were coming in from all over the world.

“It is a pleasure to share Madiba with the global community.”

He urged South Africans to continue to keep Mandela and his medical team in their thoughts and prayers.

Mandela has been receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection in a Pretoria hospital since Saturday. – Sapa