Mandela is currently lying critically ill in a hospital. Makaziwe Mandela, eldest daughter of former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela, on Tuesday called for an urgent and important family meeting in Qunu (Mandela’s village), Eastern Cape province. Makaziwe, was accompanied to the family meeting by her sister, Zenani, and Mandela’s grandson, Ndaba, as well as Public Service and Administration Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, the daughter of Walter Sisulu, Mandela’s long standing family friend. Also at the meeting was Chief Bhovulengwe of the Abathembu royal council. Napilisi Mandela, an elder in the Mandela family, said the meeting was called to discuss delicate matters pertaining to the anti-apartheid icon, sources close to the meeting told reporters. Napilisi Mandela usually presides over the family’s meetings and rituals. According to the sources, such meeting takes place in the Xhosa culture when a family member is critically ill and is at point of death. It will be recalled that on Sunday, the South Africa Presidency in a statement said that Madiba’s health had deteriorated seriously and that his condition was critical. There’s been no update on Mandela’s health condition since then. Meanwhile, a South Africa national newspaper, `City Press’ reported that Mandela’s grandson, Ndaba, was seen at what is believed to be his grandfather’s grave site in Qunu on Tuesday. Some members of the ruling party, the African National Congress, ANC, were seen at the gate of Mediclinic Heart Hospital where Mandela has been on admission since June 8 “releasing white doves into the air”. ANC sources told reporters that by releasing the white doves the party members were praying for Mandela’s spirit and wishing him a speedy recovery. Other South Africans said releasing white doves in African tradition signifies praying for peace in either in the nation or family in whatever situation the country or nation finds itself
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 16:19:21 +0000
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