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Nelson Mandela: hospital tightens security Nelson Mandela: hospital tightens security
(about 4 hours later)
Security has been stepped up at the South African hospital where Nelson Mandela is receiving intensive care for a fourth day. Security has been stepped up at the South African hospital where Nelson Mandela is receiving intensive care for a fourth day.
Six uniformed police officers guarding the Mediclinic heart hospital in Pretoria on Tuesday morning have been stopping and searching every vehicle entering the main gate.Six uniformed police officers guarding the Mediclinic heart hospital in Pretoria on Tuesday morning have been stopping and searching every vehicle entering the main gate.
Barricades were erected and tape used to cordon off the area where journalists had camped on Monday, forcing the media contingent to move across the street. The increase in security came as South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma, described Mandela's condition as "very serious". In an interview shown on the public broadcaster SABC, Zuma said he had been briefed thoroughly by doctors.
A South African government spokesman said the president, Jacob Zuma, had met Mandela's medical team on Monday night and was satisfied that they were doing all they could for Mandela, who remains in a serious but stable condition. "I was very confident that they know what they're doing and they're doing a very good job," said Zuma. "Whilst it's very serious, he's stabilised and we are all praying for him really to recuperate quickly."
Some of the 94-year-old's oldest comrades have called for him to be granted peace. Denis Goldberg, who like Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment at the 1960s Rivonia trial, said: "I think it's time for us to accept that each of us plays our role and then moves on. It's the natural order of things. Zuma's spokesman Mac Maharaj told SABC: "He's not in an intensive care unit. He's receiving intensive care treatment. That is to ensure that no visitor coming to see him brings an infection from outside that he may be susceptible to."
"This desperate effort to hold on is to say we can't do it without Nelson Mandela. I'm saying we have new leaders, and new leaders must step up to the plate and they have got to hit the home runs. That's what we need at every single level, not just the highest level." Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and his three surviving children visited him in hospital on Tuesday. Children gathered outside his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, and sang best wishes for his health.
The 80-year-old added: "Let him go, let him go, with our love, with our admiration and our wish to emulate him." Some of the 94-year-old's oldest comrades have called for him to be granted peace. Denis Goldberg, who like Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment at the 1960s Rivonia trial, said: "I think it's time for us to accept that each of us plays our role and then moves on. It's the natural order of things. This desperate effort to hold on is to say we can't do it without Nelson Mandela. I'm saying we have new leaders, and new leaders must step up to the plate and they have got to hit the home runs. That's what we need at every single level, not just the highest level."
But many continue to pray that he can beat the odds again. William Gumede, a political academic, told eNews Channel Africa: "It's going to be very difficult for people to accept that it's time to let go, and Mandela is coming close to a glorious innings. We must now celebrate his life." The 80-year-old added: "Let him go, let him go, with our love, with our admiration and our wish to emulate him." But many continue to pray that he can beat the odds again. William Gumede, a political academic, told eNews Channel Africa: "It's going to be very difficult for people to accept that it's time to let go, and Mandela is coming close to a glorious innings. We must now celebrate his life."
Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, was among family members who visited the former president on Monday. This week the foundation led by Desmond Tutu described Mandela as an extraordinary gift. "As the beloved father of our nation uTata Nelson Mandela once again endures the ravages of time in hospital," it said. "Our prayers are for his comfort and his dignity. We send our blessings to the doctors and nurses responsible for his care." But some have detected a subtle shift in the national mood and an acceptance that this is one battle the anti-apartheid hero may not be able to win."Qunu prepares for the worst" was the front-page headline of the Sowetan newspaper, referring to Mandela's home village. It said some residents were preparing to turn their homes into bed and breakfasts for visitors in the event of his death.
This week the foundation led by Desmond Tutu described Mandela as an extraordinary gift. "As the beloved father of our nation uTata Nelson Mandela once again endures the ravages of time in hospital," it said. "Our prayers are for his comfort and his dignity. We send our blessings to the doctors and nurses responsible for his care." This is Mandela's fourth spell in hospital since December. His wife, Graca Machel, is at his bedside.
But some commenters have detected a subtle shift in the national mood and an acceptance that this is one battle the anti-apartheid hero may not be able to win.
"Qunu prepares for the worst" was the front-page headline of the Sowetan newspaper, referring to Mandela's home village. It said some residents were preparing to turn their homes into bed and breakfasts for visitors in the event of his death.
This is Mandela's fourth spell in hospital since December. His wife, Graca Machel, is at his bedside and the president, Jacob Zuma, is expected to visit in the coming days.
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