Nelson Mandela
Johannesburg – As former president Nelson Mandela moves into his fifth day in hospital on Monday, South Africans have left messages of support on stones surrounding plants outside Mandela’s Johannesburg home.
Hearts, “Get well we love you” and “I wish you many more b-days to come” could be read and seen on the stones, written on with typex or permanent marker.
One stone, dated for Saturday, was brought by Jocelyn and Selwyn Colombrink from the “Wild Coast” of the Eastern Cape, with the couple’s picture on it, stating it symbolised the circle of life. They wished Madiba the best.
Another stone, dated for Sunday, said “Get well soon Tata”. One stone, from Direece Pillay, had “I love you Madiba” written on it.
There were five cars waiting outside the house in the leafy, still suburb of Houghton.
A security guard on the avenue corner looked on as another man waited in his car with the door open.
A lone camera pointed at the house while a man near a motorbike paced around a portable gazebo with boxes of equipment stacked under it.
Every now and then as cars passed, inquisitive drivers would slow down slightly to see what was happening outside the house.
The most recent update on Mandela’s health, issued by the presidency on Sunday night, stated that Mandela’s condition had improved and he would continue to receive treatment.
Mandela was taken to an undisclosed hospital just before midnight on Wednesday due to the recurrence of respiratory problems.
– SAPA
