Mandela critically ill in hospital

JOHANNESBURG – Nelson Mandela was critically ill in hospital yesterday after his condition suddenly deteriorated, leaving South Africans anxiously awaiting the latest news of their revered anti-apartheid icon.

“The condition of former president Nelson Mandela, who is still in hospital in Pretoria, has become critical,” presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement late Sunday.

The frail 94-year-old was admitted to hospital over two weeks ago, in the early hours of June 8, for treatment for a lung infection.

But after intensive treatment at Pretoria’s Mediclinic Heart Hospital and some signs of improvement, his condition deteriorated.

President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela on Sunday evening and was told by doctors “that the former president’s condition had become critical over the past 24 hours.”

Maharaj told AFP on Monday there was no update on this condition overnight.

Mandela, who became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, is due to celebrate his 95th birthday on July 18.

He has been hospitalized four times since December, mostly for the pulmonary condition that has plagued him since his time in an apartheid jail.

Zuma sought to assure the country that medics were now doing all they could to save his life.

“The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands,” Zuma said, using the revered leader’s clan name.

Zuma was accompanied to the hospital by the ruling ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.

At the hospital, the two also met with Mandela’s wife Graca Machel, who has been by Mandela’s bedside since he was taken ill.

Zuma appealed to South Africans and people worldwide to pray for Mandela, his family and the medics attending to him “during this difficult time.”

Flowers, cards, balloons and messages of support were left outside the gate of Mandela’s Pretoria hospital.

“Two weeks in hospital is really a long time for an old man. I’m worried, we are all worried,” said Mthandeni Mjwara in Mthatha, a rural town in the region where Mandela grew up. “It’s quite sad to hear that his health is not improving, I was really hoping for good news.”

In Washington, the White House said its thoughts and prayers were with Mandela, as US President Barack Obama prepares to visit South Africa.

“We have seen the latest reports from the South African government that former president Mandela is in critical condition,” National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the people of South Africa.”