News / Africa
Mandela family calls urgent imbizo
25 Jun 2013 at 02:48hrs | Views
Cape Town - 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.
A special family meeting was called in the village as the former president's condition remained critical. Several cars have already been seen arriving at Madiba's home in Qunu.
EWN Reporter tweeted that a source said the "elders had called a meeting". The meeting was called to discuss "sensitive matters".
Mandela has been in a Pretoria hospital since 8 June.
A few vehicles were seen early on Tuesday entering and exiting the hospital where the former president is being treated, but otherwise the scene was quiet except for the now normal gaggle of journalists.
'Doctors ensuring his well-being'
On Monday, President Jacob Zuma said that "former president Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital."
"The doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort," Zuma added.
Despite intensive treatment at Pretoria's Mediclinic Heart Hospital, the 94-year-old's condition appears to have suddenly and dramatically deteriorated in recent days.
Ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, daughters Zindzi Mandela-Motlhajwa and Zenani Mandela-Dlamini and scores of officials flocked to the hospital on Monday.
Mandela's eldest daughter Makaziwe has said her father appears to be at peace with himself.
"He has given so much to the world. I believe he is at peace."
'The media must back off'
At the same time she complained about the "media frenzy" over her father's condition.
"Whether these are the last moments with us, to be with our dad, or there is still a longer (time), but they (media) must back off," she told CNN.
Mandela is due to celebrate his 95th birthday on 18 July. He has been hospitalised four times since December, mostly for the pulmonary condition that has plagued him for years.
As the world looked on, South Africans appeared to be coming to terms with Mandela's decline.
"Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do but to pray for him and the doctors that are helping him," said Phathani Mbath outside the hospital, where flowers, cards and messages of support have piled up.
A special family meeting was called in the village as the former president's condition remained critical. Several cars have already been seen arriving at Madiba's home in Qunu.
EWN Reporter tweeted that a source said the "elders had called a meeting". The meeting was called to discuss "sensitive matters".
Mandela has been in a Pretoria hospital since 8 June.
A few vehicles were seen early on Tuesday entering and exiting the hospital where the former president is being treated, but otherwise the scene was quiet except for the now normal gaggle of journalists.
'Doctors ensuring his well-being'
On Monday, President Jacob Zuma said that "former president Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital."
"The doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort," Zuma added.
Despite intensive treatment at Pretoria's Mediclinic Heart Hospital, the 94-year-old's condition appears to have suddenly and dramatically deteriorated in recent days.
Mandela's eldest daughter Makaziwe has said her father appears to be at peace with himself.
"He has given so much to the world. I believe he is at peace."
'The media must back off'
At the same time she complained about the "media frenzy" over her father's condition.
"Whether these are the last moments with us, to be with our dad, or there is still a longer (time), but they (media) must back off," she told CNN.
Mandela is due to celebrate his 95th birthday on 18 July. He has been hospitalised four times since December, mostly for the pulmonary condition that has plagued him for years.
As the world looked on, South Africans appeared to be coming to terms with Mandela's decline.
"Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do but to pray for him and the doctors that are helping him," said Phathani Mbath outside the hospital, where flowers, cards and messages of support have piled up.
Source - news24
