This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/world/africa/nelson-mandela-health.html
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Mandela Still Critical but ‘Much Better,’ Zuma Says | Mandela Still Critical but ‘Much Better,’ Zuma Says |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| JOHANNESBURG — Amid deepening concern about the well-being of Nelson Mandela, President Jacob Zuma said Thursday that doctors had told him the former president’s condition had “improved during the course of the night” and, though he was still critically ill, he was “now stable.” | JOHANNESBURG — Amid deepening concern about the well-being of Nelson Mandela, President Jacob Zuma said Thursday that doctors had told him the former president’s condition had “improved during the course of the night” and, though he was still critically ill, he was “now stable.” |
| Mr. Mandela was “much better” than he had been late on Wednesday, Mr. Zuma said — the latest of a series of official and unofficial assessments that have produced a degree of trepidation among South Africans and others that the former president’s condition is steadily worsening. | |
| Underscoring the gravity of the situation, Mr. Mandela’s eldest daughter described his condition as “very critical” and warned that “anything is imminent.” | |
| The statement from Mr. Zuma’s office was a note of reassurance, after many indications that Mr. Mandela, 94, had slid further after almost three weeks in the hospital, where he was initially treated for a lung infection. | The statement from Mr. Zuma’s office was a note of reassurance, after many indications that Mr. Mandela, 94, had slid further after almost three weeks in the hospital, where he was initially treated for a lung infection. |
| The alarms began sounding late on Wednesday when Mr. Zuma abruptly canceled a visit to neighboring Mozambique, and later visited Mr. Mandela in the hospital for the second time in 24 hours. The worries deepened as South African leaders prepared to welcome President Obama on Friday on the second leg of an African tour. | The alarms began sounding late on Wednesday when Mr. Zuma abruptly canceled a visit to neighboring Mozambique, and later visited Mr. Mandela in the hospital for the second time in 24 hours. The worries deepened as South African leaders prepared to welcome President Obama on Friday on the second leg of an African tour. |
| Mr. Mandela’s eldest daughter, Makaziwe, said in a radio interview that her father was in a “very critical condition.” | Mr. Mandela’s eldest daughter, Makaziwe, said in a radio interview that her father was in a “very critical condition.” |
| “Anything is imminent, but I want to emphasize again that it is only God who knows when the time to go is,” she said, adding later: “I won’t lie. It doesn’t look good.” | “Anything is imminent, but I want to emphasize again that it is only God who knows when the time to go is,” she said, adding later: “I won’t lie. It doesn’t look good.” |
| But, she added, “if we speak to him he responds and tries to open his eyes — he’s still there.” | But, she added, “if we speak to him he responds and tries to open his eyes — he’s still there.” |
| The South African Broadcasting Corporation quoted a spokesman as saying that Mr. Mandela’s health had “gone down” in a 48-hour period. | The South African Broadcasting Corporation quoted a spokesman as saying that Mr. Mandela’s health had “gone down” in a 48-hour period. |
| In a statement on Thursday, the South African presidency said: “President Jacob Zuma visited former President Nelson Mandela in hospital in Pretoria today, 27 June, and was informed by the medical team that Madiba’s condition has improved during the course of the night. He remains critical but is now stable.” Madiba is Mr. Mandela’s clan name. | In a statement on Thursday, the South African presidency said: “President Jacob Zuma visited former President Nelson Mandela in hospital in Pretoria today, 27 June, and was informed by the medical team that Madiba’s condition has improved during the course of the night. He remains critical but is now stable.” Madiba is Mr. Mandela’s clan name. |
| President Zuma said in the statement that he “canceled 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. The medical team continues to do a sterling job. We must pray for Tata’s health and wish him well. We must also continue with our work and daily activities while Madiba remains hospitalized.” Tata is an affectionate term for father. | President Zuma said in the statement that he “canceled 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. The medical team continues to do a sterling job. We must pray for Tata’s health and wish him well. We must also continue with our work and daily activities while Madiba remains hospitalized.” Tata is an affectionate term for father. |
| The announcement also seemed to take issue anew with the way Mr. Mandela’s illness was being reported. | The announcement also seemed to take issue anew with the way Mr. Mandela’s illness was being reported. |
| “The presidency is disturbed by the rumors that are being spread about former president Mandela’s health,” the statement said. “We appeal for respect for the privacy and dignity of the former president.” | “The presidency is disturbed by the rumors that are being spread about former president Mandela’s health,” the statement said. “We appeal for respect for the privacy and dignity of the former president.” |
Declan | The impact of Mr. Mandela’s illness on Mr. Obama’s planned visit was not clear, although President Zuma had earlier dismissed speculation that it might be postponed. |
| Speaking at a news conference in Senegal a day before traveling to South Africa, Mr. Obama expressed admiration for Mr. Mandela and referred to him by his clan name. | |
| “I’ve had the privilege of meeting Madiba and speaking to him. He is a personal hero,” Mr. Obama said “But I don’t think I’m unique in that regard. I think he is a hero for the world. If and when he passes from this place, one thing I think we all know is that his legacy is one that will linger on for all the ages.” | |
Declan Walsh reported from Johannesburg, and Alan Cowell from London. Michael D. shear contributed reporting from Dakar, Senegal. |