South Africans and the rest of the world are saying prayers and well wishes via social media and in the privacy of their own thoughts for anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela who is still in hospital. The 94 year-old former president of South Africa was admitted on Saturday in a hospital in Pretoria. Prior to this hospitalization, Mandela has been receiving treatment for the same ailment at his residence for a few days. Mandela has been in and out of hospital for the past few months due to a recurring lung condition.
“Let’s pray for him”
President Jacob Zuma’s spokesperson said that the transfer to a hospital in Pretoria was called for when Mandela’s condition deteriorated. He added that doctors have given the assurance that he is comfortable and being cared for. Mandela has recovered from serious medical crises in the past and he is a fighter, he assured his fellow South Africans and the world. “Let’s pray for him and help him to get better,” he said.
Pillar of strength
Sunday services throughout South Africa were dedicated to Mandela, a Nobel Peace laureate and Person of the Year of Time Magazine. Catholic priest, Father Sebastian Rousso of the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto, Johannesburg referred to Mandela as “a symbol of reconciliation” not just for South Africans but for also for the rest of the world. Members of the congregation agree with this sentiment.
A stained glass likeness of Nelson Mandela can be found in this church. During the years of apartheid this church served as a sanctuary and center of protests for activists.
Recurring lung condition
The South African government released a statement on Saturday saying that Mandela’s condition at that time was “serious but stable.” His first visit was in December 2012 for treatment of lung infection and the last discharge was in April 6, 2013. The diagnosis given to his condition was pneumonia.
Mandela’s recurring lung problem has been attributed to the fact that he contracted tuberculosis while in prison. Majority of his imprisonment was spent at an outpost called Robben Island where prisoners were made to labor at a stone quarry.
Symbol of hope
Twenty-seven years of imprisonment only fortified Mandela’s resolve to overthrow racist rule in his native country. Once granted freedom in 1994, he worked tirelessly to end apartheid and in 1994 was elected President of South Africa.
No official update has been released yet as of this writing with regard to the medical condition of the father of the South African nation, as he is fondly considered by many.
Surrounded by family
Family members have gone home to South Africa to be with Mandela as he undergoes medical treatment. His wife, 67 year-old Graca Machel is already at his bedside having made the trip from London where she was invited to speak at a summit on world hunger with Bill Gates of Microsoft and UK Prime Minister David Cameron. Mandela received family members on Sunday including the oldest of his three surviving children Makaziwe Mandela and one of his 17 grandchildren, Ndileka Mandela.
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