Mandela showing 'great improvement - ex-wife Winnie

 Former South African President Nelson Mandela is showing a "great improvement" in his health compared to a few days ago, his ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, said on Friday.

"I'm not a doctor but I can say that from what he was a few days ago there is great improvement," she told reporters outside Mandela's former home in the Johannesburg township of Soweto.

The global icon has stayed in hospital for a period of  20 days since he was admitted 

Nelson Mandela on life support - Official

All roads leads to MEDICLINIC Heart Hospital in capital Pretoria  where anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela is being treated  amid a report that the former president was on life support.

South Africans lit candles, lay flowers  and sang praise songs  outside the hospital as a last respect to their former president 

An official briefed on his condition told CNN that Madiba  was on life support, but government spokesman Mac Maharaj declined to comment on the report, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.

The  94 year old global icon  has been hospitalized since June 8 for a recurring lung infection.

Authorities have described his condition as critical since Sunday, and after visiting him late Wednesday night, President Jacob Zuma canceled his visit to Mozambique where he was supposed to attend a summit Thursday on infrastructure investment.

As the nation remained on edge, police barricaded the street leading to the hospital's main entrance. Well-wishers hung balloons, stuffed animals and messages of support along the wall, and crowds hovering 

As the nation remained on edge, police barricaded the street leading to the hospital's main entrance. Well-wishers hung balloons, stuffed animals and messages of support along the wall, and crowds hovering nearby sang "Where is Mandela?"

"He's going to feel a lot better when he sees these signs," said David Manaway, Mandela's grandson-in-law.

His former physician and the nation's ex-surgeon general, Dr. Vejay Ramlakan, also visited the hospital Wednesday, said the national news agency, South African Press Association.

Mandela became an international figure while enduring 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid, the country's system of racial segregation. He was elected the nation's first black president in 1994, four years after he was freed.

Mandela is a 'personal hero- Obama

United Sates president  Barack Obama who is expected to visit South Africa this Friday has described former South Africa president Nelson Mandela as a "personal hero"

Obama said his thoughts are with the citizens of South Africa as the global icon remains critically ill at the MEDICLINIC Heart Hospital 

 "He is a personal hero, but I'm not unique in that regard," Obama told CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin in Dakar, Senegal, the first stop of his African tour.

"I think he's a hero for the world and if/when he passes, we know his legacy will linger on throughout the ages," the president said.

Obama's visit to South Africa  will include a visit to Robben Island, where Mandela spent a majority of his prison term. However the White House schedule does not include a visit with the anti-apartheid icon.

After South Africa, Obama heads to Tanzania, his last stop before he heads back to Washington.

According to the presidency Mandela's condition  has  improved overnight 

This was said president Jacob Zuma  in a statement after he visited Mandela in Hospital, he said Madiba's medical team told him the former president "remains critical but now stable."

Doctors summoned Mandela family

Doctors who are treating former South African president  Nelson Mandela on Thursday afternoon  urgently summoned Mandela's family and government top officials  to the MEDICLINIC Heart Hospital  where the global icon  is being treated.

This comes  after it was revealed that Mandela’s life support machine was shut down and he has died in the hospital.

  Family members arrived at the Pretoria hospital around  where Mandela is critically-ill with a recurring lung infection  around 10 AM .

His daughter Makaziwe Mandela arrived in a red Range Rover, entering the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital’s Park Street gates at 10:15.

Earlier Deputy Defense minister Thabang Makwetla who’s ministry is responsible for taking care of Mandela’s health   arrived at the hospital in a black  Lexus which was followed by a convoy of president Jacob Zuma. 

Zuma who was scheduled to travel to Mozambique on Thursday cancelled his trip in order to meet the doctors and family.

After meeting the doctors both president Jacob Zuma and the family of Mandela drove to Zuma’s residents which is a few kilometres from the hospital.

Earlier, Democratic Alliance spokesperson Mmusi Maimane arrived to place flowers and a card at a “wall of well-wishes”, which is fast running out of space.

Maimane said he wanted to express his gratitude to the anti-apartheid icon and to show support for the medical team caring for him.

“Nelson Mandela is not only the former president, the liberator. There’s an overwhelming feeling in the country when all of us think about what is happening here.

“We’ve come to relay our thoughts to the family as well,” Maimane said on his way to the Celliers Street entrance

 The Guardian Express  earlier reported  that the global icon died on Wednesday night while he was still in the hospital for recurring lung infection.

According to the Guardian, authorities have confirmed that the global icon has been taken off his life by switching of his life support machine.

On Wednesday Mandela's family  discussed on whether they should remove Mandela from the life support machine at   an urgent family meeting which was held at Mandela’s village in Qunu, the meeting  was called by Madiba’s elder daughter Makaziwe.

After the Qunu meeting Madiba’s grandson, Ndaba went to inspect the grave site and grave diggers were spotted at the site.

Speaking in a telephone interview Chief Mfundo Mtirara who is related to Mandela, and is the headman of the Matyenggina in Qunu, denied to comment on the meeting saying  it was “very sensitive issue”  and the contents of the discussions were only meant for the family.

Some of the notable faces which attended the meeting were Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, who is said to be involved closely in the funeral arrangements.

Sensitive family meeting on Mandela's health

Former president Nelson Mandela's eldest daughter Makaziwe is in Qunu in the Eastern Cape  where she has called an urgent and important family meeting. She is accompanied by her sister Zenani and Madiba's grandson Ndaba as well as  Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa arrived earlier on a separate flight. It is understood that  such a meeting takes place in the Xhosa culture when a family member is critically ill.  According to the inside source the critical Mandela is on life support machine and the family will  decide on whether they should let him go by switching off the machine. Most of the time only the family members are allowed to make such a decision in situations like this. However  Mandela's elder daughter Makaziwe Mandela told a local newspaper that the family is  not ready to let Mandela go. She said currently the family  is taking it one day at a time to decide on Mandela's life. She also told CNN that in her culture (Tembu) "you never a person unless her or she has told you so" She said the people who talk about letting him go must know that they haven't come to the end yet. " It is only God who knows the end, said Makaziwe She said whether these were the last moments for them to be with their father or whether they will see  him for many more years, the people must stand back. On Sunday, the Presidency said that Madiba's health had deteriorated and that he was in critical  condition. There's been no update on Mandela's condition since then. In the meantime, media presence has continue to grow at the Pretoria hospital where Madiba is being  treated. Well-wishers have turned the security wall of the hospital into a miniature art gallery since the celebrated anti-apartheid icon was admitted to the facility earlier this month. This is the fourth admission and one of Mandela’s longest hospital stays since December last year.

special family meeting was called in the village of former South African president Nelson Mandela to decide on whether he should be released from his pain 

 Family members have been seen arriving for a meeting in Nelson Mandela’s home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape, reporters said on Tuesday.

Mandela 'asleep' when I visited him- Zuma

President Jacob Zuma today told the world that  Nelson Mandela's condition in a Pretoria hospital remained critical for a second straight day on Monday
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 Zuma who visited Mandela Sunday  night  said the former president was "asleep" when he visited him

 Speaking at press conference in Johannesburg Zuma told at least 60 foreign and South African journalists that doctors are doing everything possible to ensure the 94-year-old's wellbeing and comfort on his 17th day in the hospital.

He repeated some of the content of a presidential statement issued on Sunday and refused to give any details about Mandela's condition, saying: "I'm not a doctor."

"Madiba is critical in the hospital, and this is the father of democracy. This is the man who fought and sacrificed his life to stay in prison, the longest-serving prisoner in South Africa. He is one of those who has contributed to democracy," Zuma said.

"All of us in the country should accept the fact that Madiba is now old. As he ages, his health will ... trouble him and I think what we need to do as a country is to pray for him."
Zuma, who in the past has given an overly sunny view of Mandela's health, briefly described his visit to the hospital and seeing Mandela.

"It was late, he was already asleep," Zuma said. "And we then had a bit of a discussion with the doctors as well as his wife, Graca Machel, and we left."

Mandela was hospitalised on 8 June for what the government said was a recurring lung infection. This is his fourth hospitalisation since December

New Statement on Nelson Mandela's condition

Former President Mandela is critical in hospital

23 June 2013

The condition of former President Nelson Mandela, who is still in hospital in Pretoria, has become critical.

President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by ANC Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, visited the former President this evening, 23 June in hospital. They were briefed by the medical team who informed them that the former President’s condition had become critical over the past 24 hours.

The President and Mr Ramaphosa also met with Mrs Graca Machel at the hospital and discussed Madiba’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. He is in good hands,” said President Zuma.

The President and Mr Ramaphosa were assured by the doctors that when the ambulance transporting former President Mandela to hospital on the 8th of June developed engine problems, all care was taken to ensure that his medical condition was not compromised.

“There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period. He had expert medical care. The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The doctors also dismissed the media reports that Madiba suffered cardiac arrest. There is no truth at all in that report," said President Zuma.

President Zuma has appealed to the nation and the world to pray for Madiba, the family and the medical team that is attending to him during this difficult time.

Nelson Mandela's condition has worsened to critical

For The first time since he was admitted to hospital with lung infection former South Africa  president Nelson Mandela’s condition has been  described as critical.

President Jacob Zuma who  visited Mr Mandela’s doctors and wife Graca Machel, said that the former president’s health had deteriorated over the past 24 hours.

He however said his doctors were still “doing everything possible” to try to improve his situation.

 This comes against comments from Mandela's family who suggested  that Mr Mandela’s health was improving.

However, the announcement of the downturn sparked deep concern among South Africans that the end could be drawing near for the country’s first black president, who led the country from apartheid to democracy 20 years ago.

“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,” Mr Zuma said in a statement, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name.

  Zuma therefore appealed for the nation and the rest of the world to pray for Mr Mandela, whose last public appearance was at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Mr Mandela is understood to have become increasingly weak and unresponsive and his family have been told to prepare for the worst.

Lack of truth on Madiba's health

 More questions are being raised  about the seriousness of former president Nelson Mandela’s hospitalisation as government is being blamed for not providing enough information 

The 94-year-old has been in hospital for over two weeks now with suffering from recurring lung infection.

According to reports  Madiba's wife, Graça Machel, has been sleeping in another hospital room every night.

The local news paper City Press has also revealed more details about the night Mandela was taken to the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.

The newspaper reported that  Machel was “frantic” on the night in question.

On Saturday,  United States television channe correspondent  Debora Patta CBS reported that the former president was unresponsive and hadn’t opened his eyes in days.

The broadcaster claims Mandela’s liver and kidneys are functioning at 50 percent and has undergone two surgical procedures.

It further claims the former president went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated the night he was taken to hospital.

The channel  further charges Mandela's health is not as strong as South Africans have been led to believe.

The Presidency has been unwilling to field questions about the intimate details of Madiba’s hospital stay, only reaffirming the statesman is recovering.

On Saturday, the Presidency confirmed that when Mandela was transported to the Pretoria facility, the ambulance broke down.

The world icon had to be transferred to another vehicle.

The Presidency said staff travelling on the ICU ambulance included intensive care specialists and nurses.

The convoy was accompanied by two quick response vehicles.

It is adamant all care was taken to ensure Mandela’s medical condition was not compromised by the unforeseen incident.

The ANC on Saturday said it had no doubt government was providing sufficient updates on his health. 

Nelson Mandela's step daughter visit him in Hospital

 Mandela's step daughter Josina Machel  arrived at the Pretoria hospital on Friday where the elder statesman is being treated for a recurring lung infection.

Josina, who is the daughter of Mozambique first president Samora Machel arrived at the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital at 13:19 in a black mercedes benz. 

The daughter of Mandela's wife Graça  was the first family member to visit Mandela on Monday despite reports that Mandiba will be released today.

  Unlike members of the Mandela family her car was searched by police at the main  entrance. 

According to  reports Mandela is expected to be discharged and go home "soon", one of his grandsons reportedly said on Thursday 

“Only God can take him… but for us, as family, as long as he can still hear and understand what is said to him, and talk to us, we’ll continue to celebrate him,” Ndaba Mandela was quoted by one of the local paper  as saying. 

Madiba was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on 8 June to treat a recurring lung infection.

His condition was initially described as being serious but stable but has since improved family members and President Jacob Zuma says.

Family continue to visit Mandela

Former president Nelson Mandela today clocks 12 days in hospital since he was admitted two weeks ago after suffering from recurring lungs.

Mandela continues to receive daily visits from his family at the Pretoria Heart Hospital where he is being treated for a lung infection.

Since he was admitted to the facility nearly two weeks ago Mandiba  is believed to still be in a serious condition.

President Jacob Zuma recently  announced that the 94-year-old former president is recovering.

While the number of reporters set up outside the hospital continues to dwindle, the messages of support adorning the fence near the entrance is growing.

Madiba’s daughters and several grandchildren were seen entering the facility on Wednesday morning.

Family, including Madiba’s wife Graça Machel and ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, have made daily visits to the hospital.

Despite  update  that  Madiba is responding to treatment, there is no indication at this stage when he will be discharged.

Mandela's wife thanks public for support

Wife to Former President Nelson Mandela Graca Machel  on Monday released a statement thanking the public for their support.

In the statement Mandela's wife  spoke of the love and generosity not only from South Africans, but from around the world.

“The love and generosity has come our way to lighten the burden of anxiety; bringing us love, comfort and hope.” read the statement 

She further  added that the messages came in the form of all types of communication technology (letters, text messages , email, twitter and the human voice).

She said voices of children in schools or singing outside their home made her feel the closeness of the world.

“Our gratitude is difficult to express but the love and peace we feel give yet more life to the simple 'Thank you!'"

The 94-year-old’s wife was due to appear at a hunger summit in London last week but cancelled to be at her husband’s side.

Meanwhile, Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandel has also been at Madiba’s side since last week at the Pretoria hospital.

Machel also quoted Mandela as saying, "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others."

Mandela is in hospital for a recurring lung infection.

His condition has been described as serious, but stable.

Mandela family visit the hospital

Zenani Mandela (R), former South African President Nelson Mandela's daughter arrives with unidentified family members at a Pretoria hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated,June15 2013. Anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela continues to recover from a lung infection but his condition remains serious, the South African government said on Thursday. President Jacob Zuma visited Madiba, the clan name by which 94-year-old Mandela is popularly known, in the Pretoria hospital to which he was admitted in a "serious but stable" condition on Saturday, a statement said.

Obama speaks on Mandela health

President Barack Obama says he's concerned about Nelson Mandela's health, but that the anti-apartheid leader is as strong physically as he has been in leadership and character.

Obama says he's sending his thoughts and prayers to Mandela, who is back in the hospital for the third time in months with a chronic lung infection.

Obama says Mandela, South Africa's first black president, is a hero and an inspiration who gave everything to his people.

Obama's remarks came Thursday as he met with the leaders of Sierra Leone, Senegal, Malawi and Cape Verde. He says the meeting focused on strengthening democratic institutions, expanding economic cooperation and dealing with transnational security threats.

Crime Scene tape at Mandela Hospital

South Africa police on Monday evening  boosted security at The Medi- clinic Hospital were former South Africa president Nelson Mandela is staying.

  Security brigades  was erected on Monday evening next to one of the entrances which is  mostly being used by family members and some senior government officials.

Police officers also put a crime scene tape around the hospital and  set up  barriers where numerous journalists had been camped out, close to a busy street in Arcadia. The metro police officers ordered journalists to move their cars.

There was speculation that President Jacob Zuma was expected to arrive at the hospital.

From  10 uniformed policemen took over from hospital security and stood at the entrance, along with officers in civilian clothes. Several police cars were driven into and out of the hospital. All vehicles entering the hospital premises were inspected.

Earlier on Monday presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said Mandela was receiving intensive care.

"Today the doctors are saying his condition is unchanged,” he told reporters from his office at the Union Buildings.

"He is under expert attention and they [doctors] are doing everything to keep him comfortable.”

Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, had also been at the hospital.

Madiba Condition 'Unchanged' - Presidency

Former president Nelson Mandela's condition was "unchanged" on Monday morning, the presidency said in a statement.

"Former President Nelson Mandela remains in hospital, and his condition is unchanged. Madiba was admitted on Saturday, 8 June 2013, for treatment in a Pretoria hospital for a lung infection," the presidency said.

In a statement president Jacob Zuma also  called upon   South Africans to pray for Madiba and the family during this time.

This was the first update in more than 48 hours since the presidency announced on Saturday morning that Mandela was in a "serious but stable" condition after being admitted at Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in the capital  Pretori.

The media continued camping outside his house in Houghton, Johannesburg, and the number of media outside  Medi-Clinic hospitalkept swelling.

Mandela remains in hospital

 The South Africa former president Nelson Mandela is spending a third day in hospital where he is being treated for a recurring lung infection.

There was no update Monday morning from the office of President Jacob Zuma, which had said on Saturday that the 94-year-old Mandela was in a "serious but stable" condition.

Medi Clinic Heart Hospital where Mandela is staying 

Medi-Clinic Hospital were Mandela is staying 

On Sunday, members of Mandela's family  and some top government officials were seen visiting the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria  where the anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate is believed to be staying.

Mandela has been hospitalized several times in recent months. The last discharge came on April 6 after doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia and drained fluid from his.

Since he was admitted the Nelson Mandela page on facebook South Africans have taken to social network to express their feelings for the former president.

The Nelson Mandela page on Facebook has over 1.3 million likes and users have demonstrated  their hope that he survive this latest health issue.

  

Nelson Mandela is feared Dead

Nelson Mandela, notable political leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, is feared to be dead at a Pretoria Hospital.

Mandela was taken to a Pretoria Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning after suffering a recurrence of a lung infection. However the presidency says there is no update on Mandela's condition saying they are waiting to hear from the doctors who are treating him.

Local and International media have camped outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital awaiting for the outcome.

…newsandviewsacrossafrica.blogspot.com will be updating you.

Mandela's condition to be released later today

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj says there is no update yet on how former South African President Nelson Mandela is feeling this morning.

  Nelson Mandela's health continues to make headlines this morning with South African's and the world waiting for any word on progress in his health.

Mandela  was taken to a Pretoria hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning after suffering a recurrence of a lung infection.

Speaking in a telephone interview Maharaj says doctors who are treating  Mandela are yet to brief the presidency on his condition.

Maharaj however said he is committed to informing the public on the latest developments if and when the presidency receives word from doctors. 

In his last update on Saturday Maharaj said Madiba was in a serious but stable condition adding doctors said the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was breathing on his own, which he saw as a good sign. 

According to a presidency  statement  which was released on  Saturday the 94-year-old former statesman has been ill for the past few days and his condition deteriorated in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

Maharaj said Madiba has suffered from lung infections since his time in prison but as he gets older it takes longer for him to recover. 

While relatives have been seen entering the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in the Capital Pretoria  where he’s believed to be receiving treatment it’s understood Mandela’s wife Graça Machel cancelled a London trip to be at his side.