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South Africa wishes Mandela well

27 January 2011

President Jacob Zuma has joined the chorus of South Africans and people from around the world in wishing Nelson Mandela a speedy recovery after he was admitted to hospital for what were described as routine tests on Wednesday.

Zuma, who is attending the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, is being kept abreast of developments on Mandela's health.

"President Zuma wishes former president Mandela well, and requests that the family be accorded space to support him in privacy and dignity," Zuma's spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa, said on Thursday.

The former president was admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon for routine tests. There have been concerns over the 92-year-old statesman's health.

High-profile visitors

Various family members and top African National Congress (ANC) officials have been to the hospital, including Mandela former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, and long-time family friend Jeff Radebe.

On Thursday afternoon, Albertina Sisulu arrived at the hospital in a BMW amid tight security. Presidential protection unit vehicles and sniffer dogs were also spotted in the vicinity of the hospital.

Earlier on, an army vehicle was spotted arriving at the hospital, leading to speculation that he might be moved to another hospital. By early Thursday afternoon, the vehicle had not yet been seen leaving the premises.

While the ANC has called for South Africans to remain calm, the ANC Youth League has declared their love for the former president and wished him all the best during his hospital stay.

"Nelson Mandela remains our greatest inspiration in everything we do, and we are confident that he will stay strong," the Youth League said in a statement.

The League joins the children at McAuley House Primary School, neighbouring the hospital, who posted placards on their wall bearing messages such as: "Get well Madiba! We love you Madiba!"

Social networks abuzz

The social networks have also been abuzz with get-well messages.

"I pray to God Tata Nelson Mandela makes it, I don't want the day to come. He is an inspiration to us all," wrote one Facebook user. Another wrote: "I send love and strength to Tata ... to the media – let him recuperate in peace please."

Twitter users also used the platform to express their good wishes. "MphoMaboi" wrote: "Madiba needs to rest. He's fought a hard battle for us and still managed to get to 92. That's a huge feat."

"Khayadlanga" tweeted: "Truth is Madela will never die, like Biko, Tambo, MLK Jr, Gandhi and other heroes who made the world better ... Our hearts are with the Mandela family."

ANC, Presidency call for calm

The ANC and the Presidency issued separate statements on Thursday, both calling for calm and privacy for the family.

"We urge the media to afford him the dignity and respect that he is entitled to as the country's founding democratic President, as a national hero and also as a citizen of the Republic," the Presidency said.

"The media should balance the quest for stories with acting within the bounds of human decency and ensuring the respect for human dignity. The doctors also need to be allowed to do their work without undue pressure."

The Presidency said that South Africans would be informed of any change, including if Mandela were to be discharged from hospital.

Mandela's public appearances have become increasingly rare since his retirement. His last public outing was at the closing ceremony of the 2010 Fifa World Cup in Johannesburg on 11 July 2010.

Source: BuaNews