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'Nothing wrong' with Nelson Mandela

VERASHNI PILLAY | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Oct 29 2009 17:04

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Rumours on Thursday that former South African president Nelson Mandela was gravely ill were laughed off by his grandson, who said he had breakfast with the beloved icon that morning.

Rumours have been circulating in media and political circles this week that Mandela was ill and possibly in hospital.

“I’ve been with my grandfather this morning,” Mandla Zwelivelile Mandela, told the Mail and Guardian Online on Thursday. “There is nothing wrong with him.”

"The old man is elderly now and has routine check-ups -- and people get excited about it.”

It was understood that the family would release a statement soon that Mandela would withdraw entirely from public life.

But Mandla said his grandfather had effectively done so.

Mandela officially retired from public activity in 2004, at the age of 85, but has still maintained a high profile publicly thanks to massive public interest.

On his birthday in July this year Nelson Mandela Foundation chief executive Achmat Dangor said Mandela was healthy and even more vigorous at 91.

Tokyo Sexwale joked that even at 91 when Madiba struggles to walk, he refuses to use a wheelchair.

CONTINUES BELOW

The Nelson Mandela Foundation was not immediately available for comment on Thursday afternoon.

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Of course it was laughed off...as gravely ill in SA means you are OK to play golf and drive top fo the range X6's...this Shaik trash will still haunt Zuma....!!

Craig Smith on October 29, 2009, 5:31 pm

You have a point I suppose but concerning our favourite old geezer, I hope he's ok.

fred sevillano on October 29, 2009, 6:06 pm

Wow that day is going to terrible. I'm sure the whole of the world will be at his funeral.

Jacques de Villiers on October 29, 2009, 8:19 pm

I sincerely hope the Granson is being honest this time. We NEED Madiba now more than we ever did.

Nahor Ecnarraf on October 30, 2009, 1:09 am

I hope he's being honest too. It would be a tragedy to see the end of the greatest living man. To be honest he's remarkably fit for someone his age, he truly is a miracle of humanity.

mandingo giddy-p on October 30, 2009, 5:41 am

"I'm sure the whole of the world will be at his funeral."

This is so unAfrican, Mandela is alive and is not dying...............

Proudly_South African Proudly_South African on October 30, 2009, 7:54 am

There is only one Madiba. He is revered the world over and by all in South Africa. But after all Madiba is just a man, he too is subject to the will of God, and only he knows the time and the day.

daniel koen on October 30, 2009, 8:10 am

Mua'diba :)

Sinudeity @gmail.com on October 30, 2009, 8:39 am

First of all he is not dead and people should stop talking about it and even making arrangements and speculating about what will happen when he dies, Daniel Koen is right only God knows day and the hour for everyone and Madiba is just a mortal man like everybody, but to some he is god to them, just be careful that you don't enter into an idolatry stage because God forbids that.

Craig Smith how do you relate this to the Shaik thing, what does this have to do with Schabir and his release from prison as well as his activities afterwards. The topic is about Madiba in case you have forgotten. And all these other people who always and always want to display they hate towards the ANC-led government I think that clearly clouds you judgement on issues and in everyting you blab really irrelevant and senseless things. This needs to stop if you have something to contribute do so and do it constructively.

Travolta Makanya on October 30, 2009, 9:55 am

Let the old man enjoy himself quietly why do you only wish for the worst, only god knows for sure you may even go first so leave it to god

Lovemore Njukuya on October 30, 2009, 10:21 am

Persimists are at it again. Why can't you leave th eold man alone. Whethere some on this earth like it or not He will let Madiba leave until Son of man comes back...........

lenate mogale on October 30, 2009, 11:23 am

Bacalile futhi la ba thakathi, ngeke a fe utatumkhulu, o sa wu phila kuze kuyo valwa.

lenate mogale on October 30, 2009, 11:25 am

Yet another pointless article. No one seems to have heard the rumor but everyone gets told of the refutal.

Kaycee Potong on October 30, 2009, 12:12 pm

Hi Madiba
My prayers are always with you. Hope that you are well and if you are ill then I pray that you recover soon.Best of health always Papa.

Never said this to you- But thanks for my freedom. May that give you strength Madiba

Donald Mathray on October 30, 2009, 1:13 pm

Mandla i hope that you shall not misled the nation with your comments because it would be so tragic.Graig whoever you-call-yourself don't be such a moron,losed,irritating canon that just blurtered out whatever comes into your brains,how dare you compare schaik with Madiba,this has nothing to do with schaik,ok.Proudly what-what youR so right,it so unafrican and whoever said this statement must be ashamed.Above all please leave Mandela alone,give the old man some space to lead his life peacefully and guys stop auctioning UTATA as if he is some kind of a piece of ornamel,not for a million and not for a cent,white people please deliver that to your popular granchildren,locally or abroad alright.Madiba IS A TREASURE THAT BELONGS TO SOUTH AFRICA AND SHOULD BE LEFT AS SUCH.HE STILL HAS TO LIVE AND ENJOY THE COUNTRY HE SUFFERED SO MUCH FOR AND PLEASE LET'S RESPECT THAT,OK.

Alfred Makomoto on November 3, 2009, 2:57 pm

Many of us, if not everyone, loves Nelson Mandela. Madiba, together with many others, has done a lot for this country. Shall we all in unison say- Madiba, you are great, you delivered us democracy and freedom. Shall we, in the same breath, refrain from rumours that have no basis. What should make us not believe what Mandla tells us. Madiba is human, like everyone else. Surely, he will not live for ever, like eveyone else. We need not therefore, start preampting his death. No, no, no. this is not right.Shall we then channel all our energies towards building this country, that debating on Madiba's health.

I live you Nelson. You are my hero. you liberated me

Madidimalo Ramodumo on November 27, 2009, 6:10 pm

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Madiba attends his grandson's graduation ceremony Former president Nelson Mandela attends his grandson Zinhle Dlamini's graduation ceremony at the Medunsa campus of the University of Limpopo, Friday, 4 December 2009. Dlamini took an oath as a docter at the ceremony.
credit: Werner Beukes/SAPA

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'Nothing wrong' with Nelson Mandela

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