A collection of pink and red flowers, colourful balloons and an
assortment of get-well-soon cards adorn the main entrance of the Pretoria
hospital where ailing former president Nelson Mandela is in a critical
condition.
Well-wishers have turned the security wall of the Medi-Clinic Heart
hospital into a miniature art gallery since the celebrated anti-apartheid icon
was admitted at the facility on 8 June.
'Get well soon' cards, mainly handmade in different shapes, eclipsed the
hospital's signpost at the entrance on Celliers Street.
One of the messages read: “We love you Tata Mandela. I am still young, I
still need to see you. Get better. [From] Tino”.
Another read: “Tata Madiba. I hope you get well very soon. You are the most
important person in our country. By His [Jesus'] wounds you were healed.”
"Though the world sees and soon forgets, we will not forget who you
are and what you have done for us. We love you Tata,” read a message
hand-written on a white sheet.
Some of the cards were designed in shapes of hands and hearts. There was
also a picture of popular cartoon character Winnie the Pooh.
A bright, brown sculpture of a head was placed next to the assortment of
messages, above the Medi-Clinic banner. Some of the flowers were placed in jars
of water.
Security at the hospital had been strengthened, with part of Park Street
leading to an entrance being cordoned off with fence and police tape.
Despite the biting cold, numerous reporters and technical staff, waited
outside the hospital. Some set-up broadcasting equipment.
Several generators for back-up power were running through the night.
Numerous Mandela family members, politicians and government officials
had 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 18:00 in a black Mercedes with
blue flashing police lights. She and Makaziwe Mandela left just before 20:00.
First seen leaving 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 spokesperson 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.
Nelson Mandela's former Sowetan neighbours voiced sadness and
resignation on Monday that their hero may not have long to live.
"There will soon come a time when all the medical help won't work.
We have to face that sad reality now," said James Nhlapo as he served
customers in his Soweto grocery store.
There was no sign of tension, no public tears, just heartfelt wishes
from Soweto residents that the Mandela be at peace.
"Mandela has done well for the country. It's true that there is
none like him, but we have to accept that he won't live forever," Nhlapo
said.
The news that Mandela was now in a "critical condition" after
more than two weeks in hospital suffering a lung infection, was met with stoic
acceptance.
Residents were going about their daily lives, hawking goods by the side
of the road. Mandela's tiny red brick house - now a museum - was a hive of
activity, with tourists streaming in.
"If we believe that he will live forever we are lying to
ourselves," said 24-year-old Tankiso Mohapi.
Mandela first lived in Soweto between 1946 and 1958 before his first
arrest in 1962 for his underground activities, and returned briefly in 1990
after his release from 27 years in prison.
Now 94, Mandela has been hospitalised four times since December, mostly
for the pulmonary condition that has plagued him for years.
The last public images of him, taken in April, showed a frail old man,
looking on expressionless as visitors from the ANC smiled for photos.
His poor health has forced many to confront the reality of a future
without a man regarded by many as the father of democratic.
"Mandela has done his job, more than many of us. So why do we still
need him around, he is not a monument of some sort," said 29-year-old Veli
Nene.
But he added: "Hearing that his condition has taken a turn for the
worst really got me anxious."
There is as much concern about how Mandela goes as when. Many were
shocked at the weekend to learn that a military ambulance transporting Mandela
to hospital in the early hours of a cold June morning broke down on the
highway, stranding him for about 40 minutes.
"I expect those taking care of him to have at least been able to
foresee that," said police officer Thabo Moshoeshoe. "Imagine if he
died on that highway that would not have been the best way for him to go."
Former
president Nelson Mandela's eldest daughter says the family is taking it one day
at a time as her father remains in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital,
but she believes he is at peace
"All
we do every day is take one day at a time and pray to the good Lord,"
Makaziwe Mandela told CNN.
"All
I pray for as a daughter is that the transition is smooth.... He is at peace
with himself. He has given so much to the world. I believe his long walk to
freedom is finally over."
Weight
for me soon. Paul
Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts.
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com
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