Newspapers in Gauteng reported on Wednesday that former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela stormed out of a family meeting in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, after a disagreement.
Three sources told The Star the family was torn between Mandla Mandela –who wants Mandela buried at his birthplace in Mvezo — and the rest, who felt that his wish to be buried next to his children should be respected.
The Star reported that a Mandela family meeting held in Qunu on Tuesday was to discuss a “significant” family matter.
The meeting was attended by the family, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa and Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
The Times reported that a group of elders planned to fly to Gauteng to assess the critically ill Mandela and decide what to do.
It reported that the meeting on Tuesday had focused on Mandela’s health, and on the moving of the family graves from Qunu to Mvezo in 2011. The graves were moved by Mandla Mandela.
The Times reported that the family wanted the graves of three of Mandela’s children — sons Makgatho and Thembekile and daughter Makaziwe — to be in Qunu.
The newspaper reported that it understood that a fuming Mandla Mandela, who moved the graves without consulting the family, stormed out of the meeting.
Mandla Mandela could not be reached for comment. – Sapa
Former president Nelson Mandela’s home in Houghton was quiet on Wednesday morning, with police cars occasionally patrolling the area as the former statesman remained in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital.
At 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 it’s 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.
Police presence in the neighbourhood and patrolling increased on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, compared to other nights.
The presidency announced on Sunday that Mandela’s health had deteriorated.
At 11.40pm on Wednesday a police van pulled up outside the main black gates of the house.
Two officers walked up and down the road to ensure no cars were parked in the streets in front of and on the side of the house. The other four officers went inside the gates and came out about half an hour later.
After midnight the officers all got back into the van and drove off.
Soon after this, another police car drove up and down the streets before leaving.
After 1.30am a Gauteng flying squad car drove past the house slowly before speeding away.
The house was dark with all curtains and blinds closed. Only the outside lights, in the yard and outside the house, were on.
Outside the main gates, people had put bouquets of flowers and more stones around one of the big trees. The stones were painted in the colours of the South African flag and had messages such as “Nelson Mandela we love you”, “Get well soon Tata” and “We love you Madiba” painted and written on them.
The flower beds around the yard were colourful with painted stones in each of them. One had small South African flags spread over the stones.
The stones bore messages including “God Bless Madiba”, “Thanx [sic] father” and “I love you Madiba” painted on them.
They had been left by well-wishers in the days since Mandela was hospitalised on June 8 for treatment of a recurring lung infection.
Police officers and security guards would take the cards and posters left by people inside.
A single broadcast vehicle was parked outside the house opposite the ailing statesman’s house.
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.
On Sunday night, Maharaj said in a statement that the anti-apartheid icon and Nobel peace prize laureate’s condition had deteriorated and had become critical.
The presidency made the announcement after a visit by President Jacob Zuma and African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.
On Wednesday morning, it was quiet outside the Nelson Mandela Foundation a few streets from the former statesman’s house. Two cars were parked inside the premises. – Sapa
Cape Town’s Archbishop on Tuesday led Nelson Mandela’s closest family in a sombre prayer, offering support for his wife and a “peaceful, perfect, end” for a man considered by many to be a living saint.
Bishop Thabo Makgoba visited the Pretoria Mediclinic Heart Hospital where the anti-apartheid leader is critically ill, consoling wife Graca Machel “at this hard time of watching and waiting.”
After a 18-day vigil, in which the family has watched Mandela slip from a stable to critical condition, Makgoba urged them to be strong.
“Take away their fears so that they may dare to face their grief,” his prayer read.
“Guide the medical staff so that they may know how to use their skills wisely and well, in caring for Madiba and keeping him comfortable,” Makgoba said, referring to Mandela by his clan name.
Mandela’s condition has worsened despite more than two weeks of intensive treatment.
Many now fear the worst for a man who, in defeating apartheid, bent the arc of history toward his will and lit a fire that shone for millions across the world.
The prayer seemed to echo a feeling of inevitability about Mandela’s condition that is shared by millions of his compatriots, to whom he remains a moral giant, even though he stepped back from public life a decade ago.
“May (we) be filled with gratitude for all the good that he has done for us and for our nation, and may (we) honour his legacy through our lives.”
“Grant Madiba eternal healing and relief from pain and suffering.”
“Grant him, we pray, a quiet night and a peaceful, perfect, end.”
Former president Nelson Mandela remains in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital, the presidency said on Tuesday.
“[Mandela’s] condition remains unchanged in hospital, and doctors continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort,” spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
He said President Jacob Zuma thanked the public for their ongoing support and understanding.
Zuma said: “We must support him and support his family.
“We must demonstrate our love and appreciation for his leadership during the struggle for liberation and in our first few years of freedom and democracy by living out his legacy and promoting unity, non-racialism, non-sexism and prosperity in our country.”
Zuma also urged that Mandela and his family be shown sensitivity, dignity and privacy at this time.
The 94-year-old ailing icon was admitted to hospital on June 8 because of a recurring lung infection.
At the time, the presidency said Mandela was in a “serious but stable” condition.
However, on Sunday the presidency said his condition had become critical.
Mandela turns 95 on July 18.
Zuma said: “We must all be planning what to do next month in marking our 67 minutes of doing good for humanity as called upon by Madiba to do so, when he launched the International Mandela Day campaign.
“Let us make it the biggest Mandela Day ever on July 18, focusing on doing good all over the country.” – Sapa
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer hailed ailing Nelson Mandela as “influential and amazing” on Monday as the anti-apartheid icon remained in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital
“He’s been very influential, an amazing personality, you know, believed in something, had to pay a big price for it,” said Federer.
“Someone you can definitely look up to and that’s very important for me. Clearly there’s many that come and go, but he has been there for a very long time.
“And he’s very much respected and loved. So we hope he does well here now in this process.”
Federer was speaking after reaching the Wimbledon second round on Monday with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over Romania’s Victor Hanescu.
The Swiss star has been a regular visitor to South Africa over the years where he has a charitable foundation.
The country is also the birthplace of his mother, Lynnette.
In 2011, Federer was voted second to Mandela in an international survey to find the world’s most respected, admired and trusted personality. – AFP
Existing statue of Nelson Mandela on Sandton Square
Former president Nelson Mandela’s condition remains critical, President Jacob Zuma said on Monday.
“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.
Zuma and deputy ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mandela at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on Sunday night.
“… I was told by the doctors, that Madiba’s health had changed in the past 24 hours and he was now critical,” Zuma said.
“They were doing everything… to make him feel comfortable.”
Mandela was asleep when Zuma visited.
“It was late when we got to the hospital and he was already asleep. We were there, looked at him, and we saw him,” he said.
“We had a discussion with the doctors and his [Mandela’s] wife, Graca Machel… and then we left.”
Zuma said he was not in a position to give further details.
Answering questions from reporters, Zuma said Mandela’s condition would not affect United States President Barack Obama’s planned visit to South Africa.
“If there was such a visit… and somebody fell sick, I don’t think we would stop the visit… So we [are] not going to stop because Madiba is sick,” Zuma said.
“So Obama is coming… ,” Zuma said.
Obama was due to arrive in South Africa on Friday.
In reply to another question about Mandela’s condition, Zuma reiterated: “I am not a doctor… when a person is critical, he is critical… I am not in a position to say how critical… .”
Mandela, 94, was admitted to hospital on June 8 for treatment of a recurring lung infection.
The briefing by Zuma was initially scheduled as an off-the-record editors’ briefing on the economy and youth, but evolved into a fully fledged press conference. – Sapa
Journalists waiting for news during a previous Mandela hospitalisation
The number of journalists outside the Pretoria hospital where former president Nelson Mandela is in a critical condition increased significantly on Monday morning.
Reporters’ vehicles, including more than 10 broadcast vans, took up almost all the parking spots adjoining the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital.
Several police officers were manning the entrances to the hospital.
Before 6am, three police officers stood at the hospital’s entrance along the busy Park Street.
The officers searched cars entering the hospital premises. More officers were inside the facility.
The hospital’s other entrance along Celliers Street was opened before 6am. Police officers and hospital security searched all vehicles, including delivery vans.
Well-wishes adorned the hospital’s security wall with get-well cards, balloons, flowers, and paintings.
Some of the messages pasted onto the wall read: “Descendants of [former Ghana leader] Kwame Nkrumah wish u long life. Bernard [from] Ghana”.
Another message imprinted on an Ethiopian flag read: “We love you our father, Tata Madiba”.
A colourful card from a Montessori pre-school was decorated with tiny children’s palm prints and numerous pictures of Madiba holding the Fifa World Cup trophy.
Some passers-by, rushing to work on Monday morning, momentarily glanced at the huge artistic display.
Several news crews converged on the hospital on Sunday night after the presidency announced that Mandela’s condition had deteriorated. Most of them had left by 3am on Monday.
However, more than 20 vehicles, including the broadcast vans for local and international media, occupied the parking along Celliers Street on Monday morning.
A few reporters braved the biting early morning cold to chat near the hospital’s Park Street entrance. Some of them held cameras.
It was a quiet night outside Mandela’s home in Johannesburg with almost no movement on Monday morning.
Shortly after 2am, a silver Jeep arrived at the house. The driver pulled up outside the black gates, flashed the vehicle’s headlights and, when there was no response, hooted twice. The gates opened.
Two broadcasting teams arrived at the house on Sunday night, but left a short while later.
The street was otherwise quiet, with only the occasional armed response patrol.
After 6am the streets became busier as people started their daily routines. A black VW Polo parked outside the gate of the house and a woman entered.
On Sunday evening presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement: “The condition of former president Nelson Mandela, who is still in hospital in Pretoria, has become critical.”
It was issued after a visit by President Jacob Zuma and African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.
“They were briefed by the medical team who informed them that the former president’s condition had become critical over the past 24-hours,” said Maharaj.
Zuma and Ramaphosa also met Mandela’s wife Graca Machel to discuss his condition.
“The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands,” Zuma said in the statement.
He appealed to South Africans to continue praying for Mandela and his medical team.
Mandela, 94, was admitted to hospital on June 8 for treatment of a recurring lung infection. – Sapa
All was quiet outside Nelson Mandela’s home in Johannesburg in the early hours of Monday morning, after the announcement that the former president’s condition was critical.
Shortly after 2am, a silver Jeep arrived at the house. The driver pulled up outside the black gates, flashed the vehicle’s headlights and, when there was no response, hooted twice. The gates opened.
Two broadcasting teams arrived at the house on Sunday night, but left a short while later.
The street was otherwise quiet, with only the occasional armed response patrol.
Stones bearing the messages “God Bless Madiba”, “Thanx father” and “I love you Madiba”, roses and cards shone under a streetlight in front of the house.
They have been left by well-wishers in the days since Mandela was hospitalised on June 8 for treatment of a recurring lung infection.
On Sunday night, the anti-apartheid icon and Nobel peace prize laureate’s house was dark with only an entrance light visible through the large windows facing the road.
“The condition of former president Nelson Mandela, who is still in hospital in Pretoria, has become critical,” the presidency said in a statement issued earlier on Sunday.
It made the announcement after a visit by President Jacob Zuma and African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.
“They were briefed by the medical team, who informed them that the former president’s condition had become critical over the past 24-hours,” said presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj.
Zuma and Ramaphosa also met Mandela’s wife Graca Machel to discuss Mandela’s condition.
“The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve, and are ensuring that Madiba is well looked after and is comfortable,” Zuma said in the statement.
After 10pm, more than 10 journalists and technical staff from various broadcasters milled outside the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital in Pretoria.
Some of the crews were off-loading and setting up broadcasting equipment, including lights and generators.
A Tshwane metro police car, with flashing blue lights was parked nearby.
It was quiet outside the Nelson Mandela Foundation a few streets from the former statesman’s house. Three cars were parked behind the closed gate. – Sapa
Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo has described the ANC and President Jacob Zuma as “corrupt hooligans” in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, The Times reported on Monday.
At a prayer service for former president Nelson Mandela, Dalindyebo reportedly said the African National Congress had distorted the anti-apartheid icon’s legacy and behaved arrogantly.
“Zuma’s leadership is distorting Madiba’s leadership, it’s distorting the ANC’s leadership.”
ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu told the newspaper the king’s remarks were “unfortunate”.
“He can’t insult a head of state and then demand to be respected in turn.”
Mthembu said the king should allow his “subjects” to decide for themselves who they would vote for in elections.
Dalindyebo said if the party remained in power for another 10 years, South Africans’ freedom would be compromised.
He said: “I will stop smoking dagga the day Zuma stops being corrupt”. – Sapa
Several police officers were manning the entrances to a Pretoria hospital on Monday morning where former president Nelson Mandela is in a critical condition.
Before 6am, three police officers stood at the hospital’s entrance along the busy Park Street.
The officers searched cars entering the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital. More officers were inside the facility.
The hospital’s other entrance along Celliers Street was opened before 6am. Police officers and hospital security searched all vehicles, including delivery vans.
Well-wishers adorned the hospital’s security wall with get-well cards, balloons, flowers and paintings.
Some of the messages pasted onto the wall read: “Descendants of [former Ghana leader] Kwame Nkrumah wish u long life. Bernard [from] Ghana”.
Another message imprinted on an Ethiopian flag read: “We love you our father, Tata Madiba”.
A colourful card from a Montessori pre-school was decorated with tiny children’s palm prints and numerous pictures of Madiba holding the Fifa World Cup trophy.
Some passers-by, rushing to work on Monday morning, momentarily glanced at the huge artistic display.
Several news crews converged on the hospital on Sunday night after the presidency announced that Mandela’s condition had deteriorated. Most of them had left by 3am on Monday.
However, more than 20 vehicles, including the broadcast vans for local and international media, occupied the parking along Celliers Street on Monday morning.
A few reporters braved the biting early morning cold to chat near the hospital’s Park Street entrance. Some of them held cameras.
It was a quiet night outside Mandela’s home in Johannesburg with almost no movement on Monday morning.
Shortly after 2am, a silver Jeep arrived at the house. The driver pulled up outside the black gates, flashed the vehicle’s headlights and, when there was no response, hooted twice. The gates opened.
Two broadcasting teams arrived at the house on Sunday night, but left a short while later.
The street was otherwise quiet, with only the occasional armed response patrol.
After 6am the streets became busier as people continued with their daily routines. A black VW Polo parked outside the gate of the house and a woman entered.
On Sunday evening presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement: “The condition of former president Nelson Mandela, who is still in hospital in Pretoria, has become critical”.
It was issued after a visit by President Jacob Zuma and African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.
“They were briefed by the medical team who informed them that the former President’s condition had become critical over the past 24-hours,” said Maharaj.
Zuma and Ramaphosa also met Mandela’s wife Graca Machel to discuss his condition.
“The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable,” Zuma said in the statement. “He is in good hands.”
Zuma appealed to South Africans to continue praying for Mandela and his medical team.
Mandela, 94, was admitted to hospital on June 8 for treatment of a recurring lung infection. – Sapa
Well-wishers left flags, flowers, balloons and get-well-soon cards at the entrance to the Pretoria hospital where former president Nelson Mandela was spending his tenth day on Monday.
Colourful messages were printed on large pieces of paper and cardboard attached to the hospital’s wall next to the security checkpoint.
Some of the messages read: “Get well soon from the sickness. Long live.
From Lazarus (in) Atteridgeville”. Another read: “I love you Tata Mandela. From Sharon Duduza”. Two flags were tied onto the hospital’s security wall along Celliers Street. A message on one of the flags read: “The long walk to freedom continues”.
Several multicoloured balloons, were also swinging next to the flags and bouquets of flowers lined the sidewalk.
Passers-by briefly stopped at the entrance to the hospital and read the messages of support.
Mandela, 94, was hospitalised in the early hours of June 8 with a recurring lung infection. The presidency said he was in a “serious but stable” condition.
President Jacob Zuma told a Youth Day celebration on Sunday in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, that Mandela’s health has shown improvement despite his still being in a serious condition.
“We are grateful that he continues to get better. Over the last two days, although [his condition] remains serious, his doctors have stated that his improvement has been sustained,” Zuma said. The president, accompanied by African National Congress treasurer general Zweli Mkhize, visited Mandela on Thursday.
Security at the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital remained tight.
On Monday morning, several police officers were searching all vehicles entering the hospital’s two entrances.
A contingent of local and international media continued to monitor the entrances.
Members of the Mandela family visited the ailing icon on Father’s Day.
Mandela’s former wife and ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, daughter Zenani Mandela-Dlamini and Mandela’s granddaughter Zaziwe were at the hospital on Sunday.- Sapa
Existing statue of Nelson Mandela on Sandton Square
A statue of former president Nelson Mandela may be erected in front of the Cape Town city hall where he delivered his first speech after being released from prison, the Cape Times reported on Thursday.
Democratic Alliance councillor Leonore van der Walt reportedly proposed at a council meeting on Wednesday that a naming committee be formed to discuss the process to be followed and funding.
Councillor Andre Fourie warned that proper consultation should happen to avoid a “debacle” like that of the freedom of the city award given to United States president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, which drew criticism from some parts.
“That should not happen with a person with the stature of Mandela,” he was quoted as saying.
According to the report, ANC leader in the council Tony Ehrenreich called for a “coherent national policy” in honouring Mandela, otherwise the statue in Cape Town would be a DA “gimmick”, he said.
The process would reportedly cost about R1 million. – Sapa
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
International journalists stationed outside the Pretoria hospital where former president Nelson Mandela is believed to be receiving treatment were warned about their equipment on Wednesday.
“… Some broadcasters had some equipment which is not licensed,” said Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) spokesman Jubie Matlou.
Broadcasting equipment brought into the country had to be approved to prevent interference on frequencies used by local, licensed services, he said.
“Apparently what’s happened here, because of former president Mandela being ill, we have a lot of broadcasters coming into the country and bringing in equipment that has not been cleared,” Matlou said.
“So, our inspectors could have picked up interference and complained.”
He said Icasa issued the offenders with non-compliance warnings on Wednesday.
The journalists are camped outside the hospital where Mandela is thought to have been admitted early on Saturday morning in a serious, but stable condition.
“They are being advised to have that equipment cleared with the authority. From tomorrow [Thursday], we will be attending to those applications and helping them with what to do,” said Matlou.
An inspector would report back on the extent of the problem on Thursday and on how to mitigate and resolve it. – Sapa
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