MANDELA TO BE RELEASED AS ZUMA CANCELS TRIP TO MOZAMBIQUE

Best wishes for Madiba outside Mediclinic Heart Hospital

Mandela suffering a recurring lung infection in hospital

It is now 20 days since Mandela was hospitalized for a recurring lung infection at Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria. According to inside sources, Mandela is on life support machine and his condition is critical. Born on 18^th July, 1918, Nelson Mandela’s lung problem dates back to his days at Robben Island where he spent 18 years of his 27 years behind bars under the South African apartheid government.

For the past few months the world Icon who is also the first President of Democratic South Africa has been frequently troubled with the recurring lung infection.

On 26^th June, 2013, a Traditional leader and African National Congress (ANC) MP Phathekile Holomisa said the Mandela family are hoping for a "miracle" to help the much-loved former president. Holomisa has been in contact with certain members of Nelson Mandela's family.

Madiba is a Xhosa who hails from Qunu and belongs to the Thembu tribe in the Eastern Cape, an area rich in culture and tradition.

Holomisa said Madiba’s fate is in God’s hands. He spoke to some members of the Mandela family and says they are in obvious pain.

Nelson Mandela to be 95 years on 18th June,2013

“The Mandela family wish a miracle would happen that he recovers, but at the same time they are aware that there’s a limit to the miracles you can have.”

Holomisa added that Madiba showed the type of morals and leadership other people should strive to emulate.

On Tuesday, 25th June, 2013, the family members and elders held what they called a sensitive meeting at the former statesman’s home in Qunu. It is reported that the elders from the village agreed to visit Madiba and assess the condition before they can switch off the life support machine.

In the morning hours of 26^th June, 2013, a tractor was seen at Mandela family grave-site digging at a place believed to be Nelson Mandela’s resting place.

In Thembu culture of Xhosa you do not let a sick person go until they say so according to a recent interview by Mandela’s first daughter Makaziwe with CNN.However, currently Mandela is not in a position to make such decision by himself.

A decision will very soon be made may be within next 72 hours regarding the life of Nelson Mandela the liberation hero and Nobel Peace Prize recipient for his fight for South African freedom.

On Thursday, 27th June, 2013, South African President Jacob Zuma has cancelled a trip to Maputo-Mozambique where he was expected to attend a Southern African Development Community Summit.

This comes after Zuma visited Mandela at Mediclinic Heart Hospital on the night of Wednesday, 26^th June, 2013. Zuma said he made the decision after consulting with the medical team who said Nelson Mandela remains in a critical condition but did not elaborate about Mandela being on life support machine.

“I can’t comment on the clinical details because as I said before we don’t want to breach doctor patient confidentiality which invades Madiba’s privacy.”-Mac Maharaj, Presidential Spokesperson

In another development, the US President Barack Obama has touched down in Senegal en route to South Africa. He's due to arrive in South Africa on Friday, 28th June, 2013, evening and will meet with President Jacob Zuma on Saturday.  Government maintains Madiba's health won't affect US President Barack Obama's visit to South Africa.