Nelson Mandela is on life support, according to sources in South Africa...
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Nelson Mandela is on life support, according to a South African tribal chief.
In South Africa's Eastern Cape province, where Mandela grew up, a traditional leader said the time was near for Mandela, who is also known by his clan name, Madiba.
'I am of the view that if Madiba is no longer enjoying life, and is on life support systems, and is not appreciating what is happening around him, I think the good Lord should take the decision to put him out of his suffering,' said the tribal chief, Phathekile Holomisa.
'I did speak to two of his family members, and of course, they are in a lot of pain, and wish that a miracle might happen, that he recovers again, and he becomes his old self again,' he said.
'But at the same time they are aware there is a limit what miracles you can have.'
A South African newspaper has also reported the anti-Apartheid icon is on life support, citing numerous sources close to the family.
The Citizen newspaper says Mandela has a team of doctors supporting him at a Pretoria hospital.
One source was quoted as saying that Mr Mandela's family had the option to switch off the ventilator.
CNN also reported that the former president could no longer breathe unaided, quoting an official who 'had been briefed in detail on his condition'.
George Bizos, one of Mr Mandela's closest friends and his former lawyer, told The Daily Telegraph that they had never discussed his wishes towards the end of his life.
'We can only hope for the best, and that is what the doctors decide to do,' he said. 'I am sure that the members of the family are discussing the matter with the doctors but it should probably be primarily the doctors in consultation with the family if the situation is critical.'
Last night a leading clergyman visited Nelson Mandela's bedside to offer prayers for his 'peaceful, perfect end'.
Thabo Makgoba, the Archbishop of Cape Town, issued an emotional statement asking that the former president of South Africa, who is in a critical condition, be released from pain and suffering.
Tributes: A woman and her young child look at prayers left by well-wishers outside the hospital...
However, Mr Mandela apparently opened his eyes and smiled when he was told about Barack Obama's forthcoming visit to the country, according to his daughter.
Mr Makgoba posted a message on Facebook asked for courage to be granted to Mr Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, and others who love him 'at this hard time of watching and waiting'.
He added: 'May your blessing rest upon Madiba now and always. Grant him, we pray, a quiet night and a peaceful, perfect, end.
Support: A girl holding a teddy bear stands in front of the wall of tributes left to the anti-apartheid icon...
'Uphold all of us with your steadfast love so that we may be filled with gratitude for all the good that he has done for us and for our nation, and may honour his legacy through our lives.'
The 94-year-old statesman is in a critical condition in hospital in Pretoria, but nonetheless was able to show his pleasure at hearing of the U.S. President's visit.
Mr Obama is believed to be keen to meet Mr Mandela, but given the delicate condition of the African leader he will not do so unless he is invited by the Mandela family.
Visit: Mr Mandela's ex-wife Winnie, centre, and daughter Zindzi, right, arrive at the hospital today...
Relatives: The leader's grandchildren Ndaba, left, and Nkileka, right, also paid visits to him today...
That prospect appeared to be more likely yesterday after Mr Mandela's daughter Zindzi described how she told her father that Mr Obama would be touring South Africa.
After she told him 'Obama is coming,' she said, 'He opened his eyes and gave me a smile.'
The U.S. President is travelling to Senegal today and will arrive in South Africa on Friday during his second trip to Africa since taking office.
Mr Mandela has been in hospital being treated for a lung infection since June 8, and over the weekend his condition was downgraded from 'serious' to 'critical'.
Crowd: Children gather to deliver their best wishes to Mr Mandela as he remains in a critical condition...
Tributes: A police officer places flowers for former South African President Nelson Mandela outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, where the former anti-apartheid leader is being treated for a lung infection...
Well wishers gathered outside the hospital to sing in tribute to South Africa's first black president...
A community group from Pretoria sing hymns and songs outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where the former South African president is being treated...
One of the messages read: 'We love you Mandela. God bless you'.
Another read: 'We love you Tata Mandela. I am still young, I still need to see you. Get better. (From) Tino.'
Other well-wishers have travelled to Nelson Mandela's home in a Johannesburg suburb to pray for the 94-year-old.
'I will wait for Madiba to come back home. I will make sure, I'm going to pray later, and then Mandela, I hope you come. I love you Mandela,' well-wisher Thembi Magagula said outside Mandela's home in Houghton today.
Meeting: Pedestrians and a vehicle are seen at the entrance to the homestead of former president Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, as close relatives were locked in a meeting at the property in Eastern Cape province...
Support: The flurry of support comes after President Jacob Zuma revealed Mandela's condition had worsened to critical and urged South Africans to pray for him...
Mandela, who became South Africa's first black president after the end of apartheid in 1994, was hospitalized for a recurring lung infection. This is his fourth hospitalisation since December.
Mandela was jailed for 27 years under white racist rule and was released 23 years ago, in 1990. He then played a leading role in steering the divided country from the apartheid era to an all-race democracy.
As a result of his sacrifice and peacemaking efforts, he is seen by many around the world as a symbol of reconciliation.
Culled from The Daily Mail UK...
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Simply Cheska...
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