SIGNIFICANCE OF OBAMA'S VISIT AT ROBBEN ISLAND

US President Barack Obama looks out the window from the cell where Nelson Mandela was once jailed on Robben Island, on June 30, 2013.

OBAMA
1.His personal hero is Nelson Mandela
2.He was inspired by Nelson Mandela
3.Both first black Presidents in their respective countries
4.Both trained lawyers
5.Both faced challenge in white dominated societies

MANDELA FAMILY IN COURT OVER GRAVESITE

While Nelson Mandela spends his 25th day in Hospital with a recurring lung infection,the family members are battling each other in court.It is alleged that Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela exhumed the remains of three family members from Qunu grave site to his home village in 2011.

16 family members including Nelson Mandela's eldest daughter Makaziwe went to court against Mandla Mandela a week ago.

The high court granted 16 members of the family a court order last week that Mandla Mandela return to Qunu the remains of three family members he had exhumed and reburied in his home village of Mvezo two years ago.

Mandla Mandela is the official head of the Madiba clan and is an ANC MP.

Madiba wants to be buried in Qunu
Former president Nelson Mandela, who is in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital, has said he wants to be buried in Qunu alongside his family.

Mandla Mandela who was named chief of Mvezo after the death of Makgatho Mandela in 2005, claims that Mvezo, where he is building a multimillion-rand hotel, is the birthplace of the Mandelas and holds historic significance.

An error in the court papers last week has given him until July 29 to respond to the matter, instead of June 29.

On Monday, Mandla's counsel argued in chambers that they were not ready to argue the matter as they had been led to believe that they had until July 29 to prepare their argument.

Mandla has indicated that he will oppose the exhumations.

Last week, a Mandela family member told the South African Press Association that, when the matter was raised at a family meeting in Qunu, Mandla refused to answer why he had moved the graves without consulting the family and stormed out of the meeting.

"When Mandla was ordered to bring back the remains, he stormed out," the family member said.

Mandla Mandela was taken to court by a community member last year for digging up community graves to build the hotel. The case is still to be heard in court.

'Deep disappointment to my grandfather'
A member of the Mandela family told the Dispatch newspaper on Monday that Mandla Mandela would be "on his way down and out of the family" when Nelson Mandela died.

"He stole the remains of Madiba's children from Qunu to Mvezo in 2011 because he knew that he [Nelson Mandela] would want to be buried with [his] children, and that would be his diamond field," the family member told the newspaper.

Mandla Mandela said in a statement on Sunday he was "regrettably compelled" to go to court and respond to the action.

"The way we are handling this matter is contrary to our customs and a deep disappointment to my grandfather and his ancestors," he said

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.

QUNU-RELATIVES INSPECT MANDELA FAMILY GRAVE SITE

There has been no any family visitors at the Med Clinic Heart hospital in Pretoria today and no any news updates on the condition of Nelson Mandela whose medical condition is  critical.

While the former president's family is holding a meeting at his Qunu home, several cars have been seen at the Mandela family gravesite. The site is situated a few metres from Mandela's younger brother Morris's house, and just across the street from Madiba's Qunu home. The private gravesite is where all the Mandela family members are buried.

It is not clear at this stage what this delegation is doing at the site, but often in Xhosa custom, a family visits a gravesite when they sense that a member might soon join the ancestors, or to speak to the ancestors to spare them for a while longer.

The family, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa arrived in Qunu this morning for a "family briefing" that was rumoured to have been called by Makaziwe, Mandela's daughter.

Scores of journalist have been banned from crossing the N2 and restricted to parking across the street from the house.

Among those who arrived at the homestead were Mandla Mandela, Thanduxolo Mandela, Ndaba Mandela and Ndileka Mandela. Also present was chief Bhovulengwe of the AbaThembu royal council.

The family meeting had yet to start by 10.30am. It was delayed because some family members were not aware of the meeting and attempts were then made to contact them.

No family visitors
No family members were seen at the hospital on Tuesday. Mandela's only visitors were his medical team, who arrived shortly after 8am.

Napilisi Mandela, an elder in the Mandela family, confirmed that the meeting would go ahead as planned and was called to discuss delicate matters pertaining to the anti-apartheid icon.

Napilisi Mandela usually presides over the family's meetings and rituals.

Another close relative, Silumko Mandela, said final arrangements for the meeting were still being made.

"Many of us in the village were not aware and we were only told this morning, so a number of Mandela elders still need to be transported to Qunu for the meeting," said Silumko Mandela.

Mandela on Tuesday spent his third day in a critical condition, and his 18th day in total in a hospital in Pretoria.

Two dove breeders from Johannesburg released about 100 doves outside the hospital in an apparent plea for peace in South Africa once Mandela dies. One of the breeders, Thomas Coutts, told the Mail & Guardian the doves also symbolised South Africa's affection for Mandela.

"He gave us our freedom and peace. We pray for peace and prosperity even after he dies. This is our way of showing our gratitude to him," Coutts said. – Additional reporting by Sapa

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.

DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST PRESIDENT OBAMA VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA

Protests planned against US President Barack Obama's state visit to South Africa in a similar fashion  to an incident that happened during  President George W. Bush in the middle of war in Iraq in July 2003.

The disgruntled protesters plan for demonstrations claiming the US President has not fulfilled his pledges and his mandate.The recent killing of civilians in Libya during the air strikes aiming at removing former dictator  Colonel  Gaddafi and the failure to fulfill his pledge to close Guantanamo prison  are among some reasons for the protests.

However this is a historic visit in his second term of office as the first African American President.Barack Obama is expected to jet into South Africa on 28th June,2013.The visit comes at a time when the world's re-known struggle Icon, 95 years old Nelson Mandela is battling lung infection for more than three weeks.The condition of the first democratic head of state in South Africa has been described as stable but serious to critical by the South African government.The current  South African President Jacob Zuma assured the world that Obama will be warmly welcome in South Africa despite the condition of Nelson Mandela and the planned demonstrations.

"We categorically make it known that the visit of the US president to South Africa is an unwelcome visit that will be protested, picketed and resisted by all justice and peace-loving peoples of this country," the organisations said in a joint statement on Sunday.

"Friendship with South Africa must be based on values of justice, freedom and equality, and these the US has offended, undermined and ridiculed through its actions in the global front," they said.

The statement was issued by the National Unions of Metalworkers of South Africa, the South African Communist Party, the Young Communist League of South Africa, the South African Students' Congress, the Muslim Students' Association, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the Friends of Cuba Society, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel in South Africa, and the World Federation of Trade Unions.

"Our rejection is based the US's arrogant, selfish and oppressive foreign policies, treatment of workers and international trade relations that are rooted in war-mongering, neo-liberal super-exploitation, colonial racism and the disregard and destruction of the environment, thus making the realisation of a just and peaceful world impossible," they said.

Obama's visit later this month would be his first to South Africa since he was elected head of state.

"The US, under his leadership, has escalated its assault on human rights, militarisation of international relations and continuing galloping of world resources at the absolute expense of the environment and oppressed peoples of the world," the organisations said.

Issues such as the US's use of world resources, its role maintaining the underdevelopment of the African continent and its contribution to global warming would be highlighted in the protests.

The public was invited to participate in a national day of action on June 28, where there would be a protest march from the Union Buildings in Pretoria to the US embassy from 10am.

There would also be a demonstration on June 29 against the University of Johannesburg's decision to award Obama an honorary doctorate. It would be held at the university's Soweto campus at 11am. 

MANDELA HAS NOT OPENED EYES FOR DAYS SINCE HOSPITALISATION

According to American news network CBS a 'new source' alleges that former president Nelson Mandela was "unresponsive for days" at the Pretoria hospital where he is receiving treatment and that his liver and kidneys are down to 50%.

CBS also claims that Mandela's ambulance broke down two weeks ago on the way to hospital – stranding him for 40 minutes.

It was also reported that Mandela's immediate family is discussing withdrawing treatment, questioning how much more medical scrutiny the aged man is expected to endure.

Mandela is 94 years old, he was admitted to Pretoria Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital for a recurring lung infection on June 8.

These allegations contradict reports by family and officials that Mandela's health is improving.

In an interview last week, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela was responding better to treatment: "We are very happy with the progress that he is now making following a difficult last few days."

Mandela's grandson Daba Mandela thanked people around the world for sending well-wishes to Madiba who, he said, was expected to be discharged soon.

Ndaba said his family was grateful for Madiba's life and they were not ready to contemplate his death, the Star reported on Friday.

"Only God can take him… but for us, as family, as long as he can still hear and understand what is said to him, and talk to us, we'll continue to celebrate him."

Ambulance 'broke down'
According to CBS News Mandela went into cardiac arrest the night he was taken to Pretoria Hospital and had to be resuscitated. While he was driven to the hospital the ambulance suffered an engine failure and was forced to wait for over 40 minutes for a replacement.

When the second ambulance arrived Mandela had to be transferred – in winter temperatures – to a second vehicle which could have had an impact on his condition, according to a cardiologist interviewed by CBS. 

The general expectation was that Mandela could be discharged from hospital to return home during the course of the week – although that sentiment is based on very little fact.

The presidency and Mandela family continued to provide very little detail on the elderly statesman's health, to the point of not formally confirming which hospital he is in.

Mandela's daughter Zenani on Monday said he is "doing very well", and a statement from his wife Graça Machel expressed gratitude for an outpouring of well-wishes during his hospital stay.

On Monday, individuals and small groups continued to add to the cards, placards, balloons and small bunches of flowers that have created a wall of well-wishes outside the service entrance to the hospital.

Some passers-by used the wall as a backdrop for photographs of themselves, much as various television crews did for live updates. Security remained tight, with police searching vehicles entering the facility.