Motorists keen on Mandela's health
2012-12-13 18:52
Pretoria - Passing motorists showered journalists with
questions at 1 Military Hospital on Thursday where they were awaiting news on
the condition of former president Nelson Mandela.
Motorists stopping at a traffic-light along the busy
Voortrekker Road next to the Pretoria hospital sought updates on Mandela's
health.
"Tell me please, is he still here? Has he been
discharged?" enquired a motorist.
"What are they saying? When is he going to be
discharged?" asked another.
"Tell him we wish him well, and good luck to you
guys!" said another motorist as she drove off.
Others left messages of support. Some waved and hooted at
the journalists.
Mandela was admitted to the hospital on Saturday to be
treated for the recurrence of a lung infection.
Commuters and motorists curiously observed the large
contingent of journalists from local and international media camping outside
the hospital.
Apart from the cars belonging to journalists, four
outside broadcast vans were also parked alongside the road, overlooking the
main entrance of the institution.
Some media houses were doing shifts for journalists to be
at the facility all the time. Morning teams were replaced by evening teams.
High security
The hospital is part of the Thaba Tshwane Military Base,
a national security zone.
Soldiers were manning the hospital's main entrance, using
plastic cones to control the movement of vehicles.
In the morning, some news crews headed for the main
entrance, aiming for close-up shots of the hospital's buildings, but the
soldiers turned them back.
Every vehicle entering the premises was being inspected.
On Thursday, no high profile visitors were seen driving
through the main entrance.
Mandela's current stay at the hospital has become his
longest continuous period in hospital since 2001, when he underwent seven weeks
of radiotherapy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
He was 83 at the time.
In January 2011, Mandela was admitted to a Johannesburg
hospital for what turned out to be an acute respiratory infection. He had
contracted tuberculosis while in prison.
The former president, 94, was hospitalised at the
weekend. He was flown from his home in Qunu, Eastern Cape, on Saturday, to the
Pretoria facility.
The presidency said he was suffering from the recurrence
of a previous lung infection and was responding to treatment.
Medical status
Mandela is revered for being a leader of the struggle
against racist white rule in South Africa, and for preaching reconciliation
once he emerged from prison in 1990, after 27 years behind bars.
He served one five-year term as president before retiring
from public life.
On Wednesday, the presidency announced that Mandela was
responding to treatment.
"Doctors attending to former president Mandela have
reported that he has made progress, and are satisfied with the way he is responding
to treatment," spokesperson Mac Maharaj said.
International interest
His health and recovery remained a topic of interest
locally and internationally.
Actor Bill Cosby was among those. He posted a message on his Facebook page asking:
"Who knows how to say 'get well soon Tata Mandela' in Xhosa?" and
received numerous suggestions.
The Nelson Mandela Facebook page was filled with messages
for Mandela.
The presidency is in charge of communicating about his
health and usually releases a statement later in the day with an update.
- SAPA
