No panic over Mandela

SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa’s government on Friday said former President Nelson Mandela was in high spirits despite undergoing medical tests and insisted there was no need to panic over the democracy icon’s health.

Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe broke an official silence to say that the 92-year-old anti-apartheid hero’s hospital stay had been caused by long-term respiratory problems which were being treated by specialists.

“Medically there is no need to panic. Dr Mandela suffers from ailment common to people of his age, and conditions that have developed over years,” said Motlanthe in a statement.

“He has suffered from tuberculosis whilst on Robben Island and has had previous respiratory infections,” he added, referring to the notorious prison where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in jail during the apartheid struggle.

A nearby school was still decorated with messages of support.

“All we want is just the best for him and for him to recover and go home and be with his family,” said Sibongile Dlamini, a 17-year-old, grade 12 pupil, told AFP. “South Africa still needs him.”

Keneilwe Mathamela, 15, said: “We can’t concentrate a lot. We’re always looking outside to see what’s happening. We just want him to come back.”

On Thursday, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who described Mandela as frail after meeting him last week, said Madiba remained in “amazing” condition for his age, but did not comment specifically on his hospitalisation.

“What more do we want from him? We want him to remain forever, but you know... anything can happen,” Tutu, a leading figure during the anti-apartheid struggle, said. JOHANNESBURG, Friday, AFP