JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s revered former president Nelson Mandela’s hospital stay stretched into a second day on Thursday, as the nation grew increasingly concerned for the anti-apartheid hero’s health.
The news that Madiba – the clan name by which the 92-year-old Nobel peace prize winner is affectionately known, and the country’s first elected black leader – remained under medical supervision has put the nation on edge.
Current President Jacob Zuma called for calm as the nation awaited updates on Mandela’s condition amid a virtual news blackout since he was admitted for “routine tests” on Wednesday. “President Mandela is comfortable and is well looked after by a good team of medical specialists,” Zuma said in a statement from Davos, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.
“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.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who described Mandela as frail after meeting him last week, said on Thursday that Madiba remained in “amazing” condition for his age, but did not comment specifically on his hospitalisation.
“What more do we want from him? We want him to remain forever, but you know… anything can happen,” Tutu, a leading figure during the anti-apartheid struggle, said. The ruling African National Congress party earlier urged people to refrain from speculation. “We call on all South Africans to remain calm regarding the hospitalisation of Madiba and not press any panic buttons, as there is no reason for that whatsoever,” said ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu.
“If there is any change in the hospitalisation of Madiba, including his discharge from hospital, (it) will be communicated.” The Nelson Mandela Foundation, established to continue his charitable work after withdrawing from public life in 2004, said Wednesday that Mandela was in Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg for tests but his health was not in jeopardy.
“He is in no danger and is in good spirits,” said a statement from the foundation. It has made no further comment. The Star newspaper reported Thursday that Mandela had been seen by a lung specialist at the private hospital. “He has been admitted for investigation,” the doctor, Michael Plit, told the newspaper. He declined to comment on Mandela’s condition.
Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, arrived at the hospital around 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) on Thursday, around an hour after ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who separated from him in 1992, departed.
