Madiba's ‘lung collapsed' - report
January 28 2011 at 07:43am
By Mercury Correspondents, Sapa and Reuters
AP
Former South African president Nelson Mandela could be discharged from hospital as early as Friday.
They came throughout the day. Some on their own, others flanked by bodyguards. All with one objective in mind: to visit their husband, father, grandfather or life-long friend - Nelson Mandela.
And as concerns mounted about the statesman's health, it was left to acting president Kgalema Motlanthe to calm things.
Motlanthe said on Thursday night Madiba was "alive and kicking".
Noting that the rumour mill had gone into overdrive, he added: "He has not passed on."
Then, just before midnight, he also issued a formal statement through the presidency.
He confirmed that Mandela was undergoing "a few specialised tests and investigations".
"Given the medical history of our former president, his health over the past few years and his age, these tests are necessary in order to provide optimal health care," said Motlanthe. "Medically, there is no need to panic."
He said Mandela suffered "from ailments common to people of his age, and conditions that have developed over years".
Madiba had suffered from tuberculosis while on Robben Island and had previous respiratory infections.
"I want to assure the nation and the world that the former president is in high spirits, and has been visited by family and friends.
"The defence force is responsible for all medical requirements and care of current and retired presidents...I can assure all South Africans and the world that Madiba is in good hands."
Motlanthe is expected to visit Madiba on Friday.
President Jacob Zuma, who was in Davos on Thursday and was scheduled to travel to Ethiopia on Friday, was kept abreast of developments by defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu. On Thursday a steady stream of high-profile visitors arrived at Johannesburg's Milpark Hospital.
They included anti-apartheid activist Albertina Sisulu, who entered the hospital in a wheelchair, followed by Mandela's eldest grandson, chief Mandla Mandela, and his younger brother.
Justice minister Jeff Radebe, Mandela's former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, and Josina, daughter of Mandela's wife Graça Machel, arrived earlier.
Madikizela-Mandela was later seen leaving the hospital looking distressed and appearing to wipe away tears.
Later, long-time friends Bantu Holomisa and Richard Maponya also visited. SANDF top brass, as well as police commissioner Bheki Cele, were were there too.
Messages of goodwill, meanwhile, poured in from around the country and the globe, including from the ID, the DA, FF+ and the ANC Youth League, as well as from US president Barack Obama.
Mandela was flown from Cape Town to Milpark Hospital by a military aircraft on Wednesday so that he could be seen by his own doctors.
It is understood that the 92-year-old had been on holiday in the Cape when he developed a persistent cough.
He was taken to a hospital for medical tests and a decision was made for him to return to Johannesburg.
Mandela was treated for a lung-related infection, possibly pneumonia.
Reuters on Thursday night quoted an unnamed source close to Madiba as saying he had a collapsed lung, but was expected to be discharged on Friday.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a collapsed lung, pneumothorax, is "the collection of air in the space around the lungs", making it more difficult to breathe.
Treatment can vary from allowing the body to repair the problem on its own to placing a tube in the chest to relieve the pressure.
While the media was criticised by, among others, the ANC and Zuma's office for its reporting on the statesman's ill health, the foundation came under fire for its poor handling of the matter.
Reports of tension between the foundation and the Mandela family about how communications should be handled could not be confirmed.
In his reaction, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu asked journalists in Bloemfontein what more the country wanted from Mandela.
"What more do we want from him? We want him to remain forever, but you know…anything can happen," he said.
Tutu confirmed that he saw Mandela last week, and remarked that for a 92-year-old he was "amazing".
Mandela had done a fantastic job and the country should thank God for him, said Tutu. - The Mercury