Mandela ‘On His Death Bed’ But Putting Up a Courageous Fight

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s ailing former president, is not “doing well” but is continuing to put up a courageous fight from his “death bed”, his family has said.

Mr. Mandela (95) is receiving medical care at home after he was discharged from hospital in September following treatment for a recurring lung infection.

Twenty-two doctors care for him at his home in a suburb of Johannesburg

Makaziwe Mandela, his daughter, said: “Tata is still with us, strong, courageous. Even, for a lack of a better word . . . on his ‘death bed’ he is teaching us lessons; lessons in patience, in love, lessons of tolerance.

“Every moment I get with him I’m amazed.

“There are times where I have to pinch myself that I come from this man who is a fighter even though you can see he is struggling, but fighting spirit is still there with him.”

His grandson, Ndaba Mandela, told the broadcaster SABC: “He is still with us although he is not doing well.”

Mr Mandela spent almost three months in a hospital after being admitted in June, following another lung infection.

His lung problems date back to his time in prison, when he was diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis. Since June, the country’s presidency has consistently described his condition as “critical but stable”.

Last month, Mr Mandela’s former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, said he was no longer talking “because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear [fluid from] the lungs”. (© Daily Telegraph, London)

Irish Independent