Mandela relatives gather with condition still critical

Well-wishers lay flowers outside of the home of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg on June 24, 2013. A statement issued by the South African government reported that Mandela's health was in a critical stage after his condition in hospital worsened over the course of 24 hours. AFP PHOTO 

 

 

By Simm Mdledle (AFP)
 

 

Nelson Mandela's close family gathered on Tuesday at his rural homestead to discuss the failing health of the South African anti-apartheid icon who was fighting for his life in hospital.

Messages of support poured in from around the world for the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who spent 27 years behind bars for his struggle under white minority rule and went on to become South Africa's first black president.

Mandela remained unchanged in critical condition Tuesday, the South African presidency said.

"We must keep him in our prayers and leave the rest to the Almighty to decide on," Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said.

Family members including one of Mandela's daughters and at least two grandchildren were seen gathering for a meeting in the village of Qunu, where the charismatic former leader spent his childhood tending cattle and living in mud-walled huts.

The meeting was called "to discuss delicate matters", according to South Africa's SAPA news agency, amid speculation that the location of his possible gravesite was on the agenda.

The 94-year-old's condition appeared to take a significant turn for the worse over the weekend with the presidency announcing on Sunday that he was "critical".

Flowers and messages of support piled up outside the Pretoria hospital where Mandela was admitted on June 8 with a recurring lung problem dating back to his time at the windswept Robben Island prison camp near Cape Town.

"He is a man who changed the world," said Vusi Mzimanda, who was among the well-wishers.

"He brings hope to everyone," he said. "I just hope that he will get better and come to us. We don't want to lose him even though we know it's late."

Supporters also released 100 white doves into the air outside the hospital.

"It symbolises that fact the we need to have love as South Africans, we need to have peace in South Africa," said dove breeder Thomas Toutts.

Relatives have been gathering at Mandela's bedside each day as doctors battle to save the moral icon, who was once considered a terrorist by the United States and Britain for his support of violence against the apartheid regime.

Ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela -- herself a figurehead of the anti-apartheid struggle -- visited the hospital on Monday along with daughters Zindzi Mandela-Motlhajwa and Zenani Mandela-Dlamini and scores of officials.

President Jacob Zuma called on South Africans to respect the Mandela family's "dignity and privacy"