Ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and senior party members due to
visit, but ANC calls for calm over Madiba's health
David Smith in Johannesburg
Friday January 28 2011
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/27/nelson-mandela-hospital-johannesburg
Nelson Mandela is spending his second day in hospital for what are
described as "routine medical tests", raising fears over the health of
South Africa's former president.
Mandela was admitted to a hospital in Johannesburg yesterday and South
African media report that he has been seen by a specialist
pulmonologist who treats respiratory disorders.
The 92-year-old's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, arrived at
Milpark hospital this morning and senior members of the governing
African National Congress (ANC) are reportedly due to visit.
As scores of journalists and camera crews gathered at the hospital,
and speculation grew into a frenzy on Twitter, the ANC appealed for
calm and insisted Mandela was not in danger.
"He is a 92-year-old and will have ailments associated with his age
and the fact that he stayed the night should not suggest the worst," a
spokesman, Jackson Mthembu, said.
"We urge people not to make unfounded statements. Let's remain calm
and not press panic buttons because there is no reason to do so."
He added: "We appeal, particularly to the media fraternity, to refrain
from making unfounded and unwarranted speculation in relation to
Madiba's [his clan name] health."
Police were called in to control traffic at the Milpark hospital as
journalists, photographers and television crews converged on the
building.
Several of Mandela's family members, including his wife Graca Machel,
visited the hospital. But a spokesman for President Jacob Zuma said he
would remain at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Mandela has not been seen in public since the final of the football
World Cup in July last year [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/
11/nelson-mandela-world-cup-final" title="]. He retired from public
life in June 2004 ahead of his 86th birthday, telling his adoring
compatriots: "Don't call me, I'll call you."
The former archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, who met Mandela last
week, said: "He was all right, I mean, he's 92, you know. And he's
frail."
Earlier this month the ANC said it wanted Twitter to take action after
a hoax report of Mandela's death was widely distributed on the social
network site.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation declined to comment on his health today.
Earlier it had said: "We can confirm that Mr Mandela is at Milpark
hospital undergoing routine tests. He is in no danger and is in good
spirits."
Children at McAuley House primary school, neighbouring the hospital,
created "Get well soon" banners and shouted from classroom windows:
"Get well Madiba. We love you Madiba."
guardian.co.uk Copyright (c) Guardian News and Media Limited. 2011
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