100 white doves released outside Mandela’s hospital

Two South African businessmen yesterday released 100 white doves into the air outside the hospital where anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela is fighting for his life. “It symbolises the fact that we need to have love as South Africans, we need to have peace in South Africa,” well-wisher Thomas Toutts said.

Flowers, balloons and messages of support piled up outside the Pretoria hospital where 94-year-old Mandela was admitted on June 8 with a recurrent lung infection.

“We feel this is the right place, where our father of the nation is lying in hospital,” said Toutts, a tax consultant and events manager who also breeds doves.

His business partner Calvern Hugo said their gesture was to recognise Mandela’s contribution to the country’s freedom.

“We are really appreciative of what you have done for us as a nation. What you have done will echo throughout the generations to come,” he said, in words intended for the elderly statesman.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner spent 27 years behind bars for his struggle under white minority rule and went on to become South Africa’s first black president.

Mandela’s condition appeared to take a significant turn for the worse over the weekend with the presidency announcing on Sunday that he was “critical”.

One of his granddaughters, Ndileka, said yesterday that Mandela’s condition was “stable”.

His lung problem dates back to his time breaking rocks at the windswept Robben Island prison camp near Cape Town.

Meanwhile, activity at the Pretoria hospital where  Mandela remains in a critical condition picked up yesterday morning after a quiet night.

Cars with military registration plates entered the gates, of the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital, which were being manned by police and hospital security staff.

A wall at the Celliers Street entrance was adorned with pink and red flowers, balloons, and get-well cards. The wall has been turned into a miniature art gallery since the celebrated anti-apartheid icon was admitted to the hospital on 8 June.

Pedestrians stopped to look at the mostly hand-made cards and read the messages in them.

Local and international journalists continued their vigil outside the hospital.

It was announced on Sunday that the 94-year-old former president’s condition had deteriorated and was now critical.

This followed a visit by President Jacob Zuma and African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Addressing a briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, Zuma said Mandela’s condition had not changed, and that his doctors were doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort.

It was reported yesterday that Mandela’s long-time friend George Bizos, SC, had refrained from visiting him in hospital.

The Star reported that he received a phone call from Mandela’s wife Graça Machel on Saturday.

“She told me that he was not very good, and I accept that,” he told the newspaper.

“I have respected the doctor’s wishes of not allowing in too many visitors,” he said.

“None of us are immortal. We must let him live as long as possible.”

Meanwhile, Mandela’s grandson, Ndaba, was seen at what is believed to be his grandfather’s gravesite in Qunu in the Eastern Cape yesterday, City Press tweeted.

Sapa reported that close relatives of the former president and chiefs of the Abathembu royal family gathered at his home in Qunu yesterday morning.

This followed an urgent call reportedly made by his children, a Sapa correspondent reported.

Among those who arrived at the homestead were Mandla Mandela, Thanduxolo Mandela, Ndaba Mandela, and Ndileka Mandela.

Also there was chief Bhovulengwe, of the Abathembu royal council.

Napilisi Mandela, an elder in the Mandela family, said it was being called to discuss delicate matters pertaining to the anti-apartheid icon.

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

Meanwhile, several Gauteng businessmen have released 100 white doves outside the hospital where Mandela is being treated to symbolise the freedom that he brought to the country.

Meanwhile, family members have been seen arriving for a meeting in Nelson Mandela’s home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape, reporters said yesterday.

A special family meeting was called in the village as the former president’s condition remained critical. Several cars have already been seen arriving at Madiba’s home in Qunu.

EWN Reporter tweeted that a source said the “elders had called a meeting”. The meeting was called to discuss “sensitive matters”.

Mandela is due to celebrate his 95th birthday on 18 July. He has been hospitalised four times since December, mostly for the pulmonary condition that has plagued him for years.

As the world looked on, South Africans appeared to be coming to terms with Mandela’s decline.

“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do but to pray for him and the doctors that are helping him,” said Phathani Mbath outside the hospital, where flowers, cards and messages of support have piled up. — News24