South Africans are expressing a mix of hope and resignation as former president Nelson Mandela remains in critical condition.The anti-apartheid leader has been in a Pretoria hospital fighting a lung infection for more than two weeks.
On Tuesday, with no new update from the government on Mandela's condition, residents in the city of Soweto talked about their wishes for the ailing Nobel Peace laureate.
"My message will be simple: a speedy recovery. Because we as a nation and his family we need him more than we did in the past," said Isaac Mabena.
"He has been an inspiration to most of us and may the good Lord have mercy upon him and make him well. But if it is time for him to let go and leave us now, so be it," said Mpho Marotola.
President Jacob Zuma said Monday doctors are doing everything they can to treat Mandela and make him feel comfortable.
He called the 94-year-old "the father of democracy," in South Africa and said the country should accept that Mandela will have health problems as he ages. Zuma asked South Africans to pray for the former leader.
He also told reporters Monday that Mandela's health will not affect an upcoming visit by U.S. President Barack Obama.
A White House spokesman would not speculate Monday about how Mandela's health might impact Obama's visit to South Africa. Jay Carney said only that Obama "continues to look forward to the trip" and said the U.S. president sees Mandela as one of his heroes.
Mandela family members continued to visit him in the hospital Monday.
Mandela's daughter, Makaziwe, told CNN Monday the family is taking each day as it comes and is enjoying as much time as they can with him. She said she believes her father is at peace.
On Tuesday, with no new update from the government on Mandela's condition, residents in the city of Soweto talked about their wishes for the ailing Nobel Peace laureate.
"My message will be simple: a speedy recovery. Because we as a nation and his family we need him more than we did in the past," said Isaac Mabena.
"He has been an inspiration to most of us and may the good Lord have mercy upon him and make him well. But if it is time for him to let go and leave us now, so be it," said Mpho Marotola.
President Jacob Zuma said Monday doctors are doing everything they can to treat Mandela and make him feel comfortable.
He called the 94-year-old "the father of democracy," in South Africa and said the country should accept that Mandela will have health problems as he ages. Zuma asked South Africans to pray for the former leader.
He also told reporters Monday that Mandela's health will not affect an upcoming visit by U.S. President Barack Obama.
A White House spokesman would not speculate Monday about how Mandela's health might impact Obama's visit to South Africa. Jay Carney said only that Obama "continues to look forward to the trip" and said the U.S. president sees Mandela as one of his heroes.
Mandela family members continued to visit him in the hospital Monday.
Mandela's daughter, Makaziwe, told CNN Monday the family is taking each day as it comes and is enjoying as much time as they can with him. She said she believes her father is at peace.
-
Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik works on a sand sculpture created in the likeness of former South African President Nelson Mandela, in Puri, India, June 9, 2013.
- A child places messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela outside his house in Johannesburg, June 9, 2013.
- Visitors to Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg pass beneath a statue of the former president, April 1, 2013.
- Nelson Mandela and his then wife, Winnie, salute well-wishers as he leaves Victor Verster prison on February 11, 1990.
- This undated photograph shows Nelson Mandela and his former wife, Winnie.
- South African State President Frederik Willem de Klerk, left, and Deputy President of the African National Congress Nelson Mandela, right, prior to talks between the ANC and the South African government, Cape Town, May 2, 1990.
- ANC leader and symbol of resistance to apartheid, Nelson Mandela, is seen as he gives the black power salute to the 120,000 ANC supporters in Soweto's Soccer City stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 13, 1990.
- Nelson Mandela attends a rally in this 1993 photo.
- President Nelson Mandela and Britain's Prince Charles shake hands alongside members of the Spice Girls' Emma (L), and Gerri (R) at Mr. Mandela's residence November 1, 1997.
- The former South African president, left, and his wife, Graca Machel, wave to the audience during a Live 8 concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 2, 2005.
- Former South African president Nelson Mandela, center, followed by his grandson Mandla Mandela, rear right, arrives at the ceremony in Mvezo, South Africa, April 16, 2007.
- Mandela poses for a photograph after receiving a torch to celebrate the African National Congress' centenary in his home village, Qunu, in rural eastern South Africa, May 30, 2012.
- School children read the history of former South African president Nelson Mandela written on a chalkboard, ahead of the opening of a container library by the Bill Clinton Foundation in celebration of Mandela Day, at a school in Qunu, July 17, 2012.
- Children sing happy birthday in honor of former South African president Nelson Mandela during celebrations for Mandela's birthday in Mvezo, South Africa, July 18, 2012.
