QUNU-MANDELA FAMILY MEETING TO DECIDE HIS FUTURE

QUNU - Several cars including a black SUV arrived in Madiba’s home in Qunu. 

It’s understood Mandela’s daughter called a meeting of close relatives to discuss sensitive family matters as the former president remains in a critical condition in hospital.

It is believed that the family is meeting to decide on letting Madiba to go since his condition has worsened from being stable but serious to critical hence he would not be in a position to speak for himself as demanded by their culture.

Recently, Madiba’s daughter told a CNN reporter that her father had not yet asked them to release him.This was before it was announced that her father was in critical condition, Makaziwe spoke to his medical condition and state of mind.

"They haven't stopped treating him with all the best medicine in the world. He still opens his eyes ... the touch is there."

She also addressed how much medical treatment her father should receive.

"In our culture, the Tembu culture, you never release the person unless the person has told you: 'Please my children, my family, release me.' My dad hasn't said that to us.

"So these people who want to talk about, you know, release him, he hasn't said we should release him and we haven't come to the end yet. It is only God who knows the end."

A Mandela relative confirmed that she will be attending the meeting while another source said the meeting has been called by the elders of the family.

It is unclear how many people are attending the meeting as journalist have only been able to monitor movements outside the family home from a distance due to police presence guarding the home.

STILL CRITICAL

There’s been no official word on Madiba since Sunday after the Presidency announced his condition had turned from serious to critical.

This morning the Deputy President Kgalema Motlante said South Africans should keep Madiba in their thoughts.

Madiba continues to be treated at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria for a recurring lung infection after being admitted on 8 June.

Meanwhile, the news of his critical condition has been met with grave concern in Qunu.

Madiba grew up in the Eastern Cape village and had described it as the happiest years of his childhood.

An elderly man with a stick in hand stood across the road from Mandela's retirement home.

There was little activity outside the well-secured house.

“When he leaves Qunu, I get worried.”

Another local says she has been praying for the former statesman.

“We love him very much and don’t want him to die.”

Traditional and church leaders in the region held a mass prayer for the ailing statesman over the weekend at the sacred tribal land known as Bumbane Great Place.
Meanwhile helicopters have been seen flying around med-clinic heart hospital in Pretoria around mid-day today, 25th June, 2013 as journalists anticipate the latest news on Mandela’s health.