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Johannesburg — Former president Nelson Mandela is believed to be on life support as he remains in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital, according to a report yesterday. The Citizen spoke to “five highly-placed sources close to the family” who confirmed that Mandela is “breathing with the assistance of a life support ventilator”. Two of the unnamed sources had recently been to visit him in hospital.
The former president is also believed to be undergoing renal dialysis as he is suffering from kidney failure.
“He is on a ventilation life support and his kidney function is very low. He is critical, but has a entire team of doctors, from a cardiac specialist, pulmonary specialist, kidney specialist and a main consultant looking after him,” the source told The Citizen.
The family has reportedly been given the option to switch off the life support machines.
This could not be confirmed by the family or the presidency, which released a statement on Tuesday saying Mandela’s condition was unchanged.
Members of the family gathered at Mandela’s home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday for a family meeting. Family friend Bantu Holomisa told the Mail & Guardian yesterday that the meeting was held to “brief the elders about Mandela’s condition” and that funeral arrangements were not discussed.
Meanwhile, Mandela’s daughter Zindzi told US TV network NBC News on Tuesday that her father “opened his eyes and gave me a smile” when she told him that US President Barack Obama was coming to South Africa.
Two hours after Mandela family members and government officials met at the family home in Qunu, a machine digger arrived at what is believed to be the planned grave site of Nelson Mandela.
Tuesday was a day of heightened activity after the world started preparing to take its leave of the 94-year-old, reported Beeld.
Meanwhile, Tshwane metro police restricted the traffic flow yesterday in the streets near the hospital where Mandela is still in a critical condition.
Security was also increased at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital.
Police manning the hospital’s entrances used mirrors to inspect the undersides of cars entering the premises.
Earlier, Dr Vejay Ramlakan arrived at the hospital. He is the country’s former surgeon general. He stepped down earlier this year.
His car was not searched by police and security guards when he arrived at the hospital. Police started searching vehicles entering the facility at about 05:00.
Mandela was admitted on 8 June with a recurring lung infection.
Local residents asked about the health of the former statesman while walking past the hospital yesterday.
Well-wishers have transformed the wall outside the hospital into a miniature art gallery with presents, get-well cards, balloons, and floral tributes in support of Mandela.
The presidency said on Tuesday that the anti-apartheid icon remained in a critical condition.
“[Mandela’s] condition remains unchanged in hospital, and doctors continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being, and comfort,” spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
Newspapers in Gauteng reported yesterday that Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela stormed out of a family meeting in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, after a disagreement.
Three sources told The Star the family was torn between Mandla Mandela — who wants Mandela buried at his birthplace in Mvezo — and the rest, who felt that his wish to be buried next to his children should be respected. The Star reported that a Mandela family meeting held in Qunu on Tuesday was to discuss a “significant” family matter.
The meeting was attended by the family, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa and Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
The Times reported that a group of elders planned to fly to Gauteng to assess the critically ill Mandela and decide what to do.
It reported that the meeting on Tuesday had focused on Mandela’s health, and on the moving of the family graves from Qunu to Mvezo in 2011. The graves were moved by Mandla Mandela.
The Times reported that the family wanted the graves of three of Mandela’s children — sons Makgatho and Thembekile and daughter Makaziwe — to be in Qunu.
The newspaper reported that it understood that a fuming Mandla Mandela, who moved the graves without consulting the family, stormed out of the meeting.
Mandla Mandela could not be reached for comment. — Sapa/News24
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