Johannesburg - Even as former president Nelson Mandela lay ailing in a hospital bed in South Africa, he continues to inspire people around the world.
On Saturday UK football club Sunderland AFC will celebrate its recent collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation by designating the game against Manchester United at the Stadium of Light “Nelson Mandela Day”.
And the event will have even more meaning as messages of support and prayer pour in for Mandela after his hospitalisation with a recurring lung infection this week.
Sunderland’s players will wear one-off t-shirts for the pre-game warm-up, bearing the foundation’s logo and a special “text to donate” message in support of the foundation.
“Nelson Mandela Day” will see the launch of a special text number which allows fans to pledge their support by donating £2 (R28) to the foundation.
Both teams will take to the field through a guard of honour of young fans wearing Nelson Mandela Foundation t-shirts, along with 11 specially chosen mascots.
A flag bearing the foundation’s logo will also be displayed and African musicians, the Abatimbo Drummers of Burundi, will play before the match and at half-time.
Meanwhile, journalists and cameramen gathered outside the Mandela home in Houghton on Friday.
The Presidency said Mandela was in “good spirits” as he continued his hospital stay to receive treatment.
“Mandela is in good spirits and enjoyed a full breakfast this morning,” said presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj. “The doctors report that he is making steady progress.”
Maharaj said Mandela remained under treatment and observation after he was taken to an undisclosed hospital just before midnight on Wednesday.
On Thursday President Jacob Zuma told BBC news that people needed to “slow down the anxiety”.
“In Zulu, when someone passes away who is very old, people say he or she has gone home. I think those are some of the things we should be thinking about,” the news service quoted him as saying.
Also on Thursday, US President Barack Obama sent thoughts and prayers to Madiba.
“We are deeply concerned with (Nelson Mandela’s) health – he is a hero, I think, to all of us,” Obama said. “When we think of a single individual that embodies the kind of leadership qualities that I think we all aspire to, the person’s name that comes up is Nelson Mandela. So we wish him all the very best,” Obama added.
News of Mandela’s latest ill health was slow to reach Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, where he has a home.
“Most of the people in the village don’t know even that he is in hospital,” Zimsile Gamakulu, a local guide from the Madiba clan, said. Villagers “wish him a long life”, he said.
Meanwhile in Houghton, well-wishers wrote messages of support on painted pebbles which were neatly placed on the pavement outside Mandela’s residence.
Saturday Star