Graça Machel has not left Nelson Mandela's side for more than three hours before returning to him
"Madiba always wants reassurance that she is close by. She provides emotional stability not only to him but also to many of us," Mandela's personal assistant Zelda la Grange told City Press.
The newspaper reported that since his admittance to Pretoria's Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital, Machel has not left Mandela's side for more than three hours before returning to him.
She apparently sleeps in a chair next to his bed and has clothes and other items brought in for her each week.
Sunday marks the 30th day Mandela has been in hospital receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection.
The Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory's Verne Harris told City Press that Machel had requested that some of the tributes left for Mandela at the hospital be collected and brought back to the centre. "Those that had addresses on she asked us to please respond to, sending thanks. She was worried they would become weathered."
The 15th wedding anniversary of Machel and Mandela is celebrated this month.
Little movement at hospital
There was little movement on Sunday morning outside the hospital.
Passersby took cellphone pictures and read messages supporting the ailing statesman.
In a hand-made card, Minewa Hu from Toronto said the world was indebted to Mandela.
"The world is indebted to your lifelong struggle for social justice. I was moved to see my city's declaration of your honorary citizenship in our municipality hanging in your former home in Soweto."
Hu said there were many letters at Mandela's home from other governments welcoming him as their own.
"You, sir, have lived a life of exemplifying courage, resilience and optimism." – Sapa