Nelson Mandela’s condition is “very critical” and “anything is imminent”, his daughter Makaziwe Mandela has said. “I can reiterate that Tata [father] 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,” she told broadcaster SAFM on Thursday. She said Mandela was responding to touch. “I won’t lie, it doesn’t look good. But as I say, if we speak to him, he responds and tries to open his eyes. He’s still there. He might be waning off, but he’s still there,” she said. “I think for us, as his children and grandchildren, we still have this hope because when you talk to him he will flutter and try and open his eyes.” Also on Thursday, President Jacob Zuma’s office released a statement saying Mandela’s condition had improved during the night. One granddaughter, Ndileka, described him as “stable” and thanked well-wishers from around the world for their support.
President cancels trip: Zuma said he had cancelled a planned daytrip on Thursday to Mozambique, where he was to attend a regional summit. “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,” he said. “The medical team continues to do a sterling job. We must pray for Tata’s health and wish him well.
