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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Nelson Mandela in Critical Condition |
| 2013-06-24 |
| Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, took a turn for the worse and was in critical condition today in his battle with a lung infection, according to a statement from the South African president's office. "The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands," South African Jacob Zuma said, using Mandela's tribal nickname. Mandela had been listed in "serious but stable condition" for since he entered the hospital June 8. Mandela was rushed to the hospital in the early morning hours of June 8, after his health deteriorated rapidly from a recurring lung infection. The 94-year-old Nobel Peace prize winner's medical team informed the president's office that Mandela's condition become critical over the past 24 hours, according to the statement. Zuma reiterated today that Mandela's health was not compromised when the ambulance that was bringing him to the hospital broke down. "There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period. He had expert medical care," Zuma said. "The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The doctors also dismissed the media reports that Madiba suffered cardiac arrest. There is no truth at all in that report." Mandela was forced to wait for a second ambulance after the first one broke down, the South African government admitted Saturday. "When the ambulance experienced engine problems it was decided that it would be best to transfer to another military ambulance which itself was accompanied for the rest of the journey by a civilian ambulance," the president's office said Saturday. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #11 No truer words every spoken... |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-06-24 13:53 |
| #10 I think of him as a great man, who possibly has spared South Africa from a blood bath Which, if the rumors pan out, will happen after he dies. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-06-24 13:41 |
| #9 Something from author and historian Dr. Peter Hammond to keep in mind. Some perspective on the great Madiba. From the same blog: The fact is that even Amnesty International refused to take on Nelson MandelaÂ’s case because they asserted that he was no political prisoner but had committed numerous violent crimes and had had a fair trial and a reasonable sentence. Nelson Mandela was the head of UmKhonto we Sizwe, (MK), the terrorist wing of the ANC and South African Communist Party. He had pleaded guilty to 156 acts of public violence including mobilizing terrorist bombing campaigns, which planted bombs in public places, including the Johannesburg railway station. Many innocent people, including women and children, were killed by Nelson MandelaÂ’s MK terrorists. South African President P.W. Botha had, on a number of occasions, offered Nelson Mandela freedom from prison, if he would only renounce terrorist violence. This Mandela refused to do. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-06-24 13:26 |
| #8 Nelson Mandela's family vow to continue his treatment, saying God will decide when he dies South African president Jacob Zuma said Mr Mandela is being made "comfortable" by doctors, after paid a visit to the former president in hospital. President Zuma called on South Africans to pray for Mr Mandela, and told journalists the former president was asleep when he saw him. |
| Posted by: Gleamp Shaimp6175 2013-06-24 12:04 |
| #7 Besoeker, no need to send Obama, FLOTUs and kids. With FTOTUS (First Teleprompter of the United States) is more than enough. |
| Posted by: JFM 2013-06-24 10:50 |
| #6 I think of him as a great man, who possibly has spared South Africa from a blood bath. |
| Posted by: bernardz 2013-06-24 10:13 |
| #5 Could the media be setting up Obama and Mandela up for a Lazerus moment? |
| Posted by: airandee 2013-06-24 09:53 |
| #4 Arms not to die right now for. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2013-06-24 09:46 |
| #3 He's sick and might die, good riddance. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2013-06-24 07:59 |
| #2 Suspect that Nelson is just staying alive for the privilege to meet a Nobel Prize Winner and his wife with the well-toned arms |
| Posted by: Frank G 2013-06-24 07:54 |
| #1 Zuma reiterated today that Mandela's health was not compromised when the ambulance that was bringing him to the hospital broke down. Petrol syphoned out I'd guess. Keeping the oud bugger alive until the Champ, FLOTUS, and the kids arrive no doubt. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-06-24 02:03 |