Mandela Health Scare

By Eric Sande

JOHANNESBURG---South Africa remains a restless nation following the hospitalisation of former President Nelson Mandela at Milpark, a Johannesburg-based hospital.

Speculation on the legendary Madiba’s  health escalated on Wednesday night as family members and senior political figures were seen visiting the frail 92-year-old in hospital. They included his ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who reportedly left the hospital in tears.

The Nobel peace prize winner’s foundation said Wednesday he was in the hospital for “routine tests”. However according to a source close to Mandela, the anti-apartheid icon was recovering from a collapsed lung, and could be released as early as Friday.

“Mandela is suffering an ailment common to people his age,” the presidency was quoted as saying, but is in "high spirits" after being visited by family and friends.

Speaking to South Africa's SABC network, Kgalema Motlanthe, the deputy president said, "I want to say to you, he's alive and kicking. He hasn't passed on." He added: "As you all know former president Nelson Mandela was admitted for a routine check yesterday in hospital. That has set the rumour mill into overdrive. Because of this overdrive people have been receiving SMSes indicating that he has passed on."

BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg stated that privately his friends have warned that his health has begun to deteriorate more rapidly in recent months.

Leading South Africans offered their best wishes. Archbishop (emeritus) Desmond Tutu said he saw Mandela last week and remarked that for a 92-year-old he was "amazing". Tutu said to journalists in Bloemfontein: "What more do we want from him? We want him to remain forever, but, you know … anything can happen."

Police have since been called in to control traffic at the hospital as scores of journalists, photographers and TV crews converged on the building.