|
JOBS | TENDERS | DATING |
|
|
THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 08 2012 19:41 | LAST UPDATED Feb 08 2012 19:41 |
|
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. TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
comment guidelines
|
 Madiba attends his grandson's graduation ceremonyFormer 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 Client Media Releases
IN THIS WEEK'S PAPER
SUBSCRIBE: - Paper edition - iPad edition (NEW!) - Kindle edition - Digital edition Read stories online  @mailandguardian - Top stories & newsflashes @NicDawes - M&G editor Nic Dawes @ChrisRoperZA - Editor, M&G Online @amabhungane - M&G Centre for Investigative Journ @mgfeed - Our whole news feed Advertisements |
Contact Us | About Us | Story Tip-offs | Social media policy | Online Advertising | Print Advertising | Subscriptions | Topics A-Z | Mobile Sites | Privacy Policy | RSS Feed
All material © Mail & Guardian Online. Material may not be published or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
 |
 |