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Doesn't Look Good
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
JOHANNESBURG Nelson Mandela, the beloved but increasingly frail hero of South African democracy, remained hospitalized for a second day here Thursday for what his foundation called routine tests.
As friends and family filed into Milpark Hospital to visit Mr. Mandela, 92, the nations current president and leaders of the governing party, the African National Congress, sought to calm an anxious public and scolded the press for what a party spokesman, Jackson Mthembu, called unwarranted speculation about Mr. Mandelas health.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a brief statement Wednesday, He is in no danger and is in good spirits. And President Jacob Zumas office said Thursday that Mr. Mandela is comfortable and is well looked after by a good team of medical specialists.
But neither the foundation nor the government has released specific information about the reason for Mr. Mandelas hospitalization, or why he remained there overnight. Instead, they have issued pleas to the public to respect Mr. Mandelas privacy.
Mr. Zuma, who was attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, was being kept fully briefed on Mr. Mandelas care, his office said.
We urge the media to afford him the dignity and respect that he is entitled to as the countrys founding democratic president, as a national hero and also as a citizen of the Republic, the president's office said.
But even as officials attempted to quiet the feverish news coverage of Mr. Mandelas hospitalization, the sight of his grandchildren, senior politicians and former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, coming to his bedside stirred speculation that his condition might be more serious than officials were willing to confirm. Ms. Madikizela-Mandela wiped tears from her eyes and blew her nose as she left the hospital Thursday afternoon, according to a report by the South African Press Association.
For years, rumors have swirled about Mr. Mandelas health. His public appearances have become less and less frequent, and friends say he is thin, tires easily and has little appetite. He last appeared in July at the closing ceremony of the World Cup tournament. His foundation regularly pleads with the public to leave him in peace.
But the curiosity about his medical condition persists. Last month, the African National Congress denounced a report on Twitter that Mr. Mandela had died. It is only people without a soul who would spread such lies about our living icon, Mr. Mthembu said at the time.
-Mike
C'mon, the guy is 92 years old, no one lives forever, most people not even for 92 years. What do you expect?
He is 92, I kind of expect him to die soon. Not that I want him to, it is just a reality.
lowsound
lowsound
I'm not saying it is unexpected. I'm just saying it is sad to see a beloved figure become frail and clearly much closer to the end.
Well that just goes without saying. Here's to Mr. Mandela living the remainder of his life as peacefully as possible.
Yes they do.....
-Mike
That is clearly a zombie. KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!!!!!!!
Are you serious? Al Davis eats fire for breakfast. Then he serves the waste product to his head coaches as a salary
Al Davis? If so, he looks rough!
Yup, but unlike Mandela, he leaves no good legacy behind. It'll be sad to see him go for sure. Definitely one of the top modern leaders of our time.
True. However...
My feeling is that he won't take over anytime soon. South Africa is doing pretty well, and they need only look at Zimbabwe to see what a demogouge can do.
Pacman, please don't nail me!
I promise that will be all of my politics.
