Well wishes for Mandela
2012-12-09 16:21
Johannesburg - People all over South Africa are thinking about former president Nelson Mandela and praying for him, said the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.
Addressing Mandela, it said: "Even in such mundane times as routine hospital visits, you allow South Africans from across the length and breadth of this country to unite in concern for you.
"May your thoughts dwell on the open fields of Qunu, of South Africa’s children working together to build a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic society."
It wished Mandela a speedy recovery.
On Sunday morning, President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela in hospital and found him "comfortable, and in good care", said presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj.
He again appealed to the media and to the public to respect the privacy of Mandela and his family.
Mandela was admitted to a hospital in Pretoria on Saturday for "medical attention".
At the time, Maharaj said that, as had been said before, Mandela, 94, would "receive medical attention from time to time which is consistent with his age" and that there was no cause for alarm.
On Sunday, Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile conveyed well wishes to Mandela on behalf of the ANC in Gauteng, which he chairs.
"I want to take this opportunity to send our message of well wishes to him and the Mandela family," Mashatile said during his opening address at a special provincial general council in Alberton.
"May he recover speedily. He remains an inspiration amongst us and we wish him a long life."
Mashatile then led the conference in singing: "Nelson Mandela there is no one like you."
Sending its best wishes to Mandela, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said it hoped there was no cause for concern.
Cosatu national spokesperson Patrick Craven said Mandela had always been a constant inspiration, through apartheid, jail and exile, the mass uprisings of the 80s, negotiations, and the days of liberation and reconstruction.
"His leadership was key to our ultimate breakthrough," he said.
"Get well and continue to inspire us," Craven said.
- SAPA
