Pretoria - Grade-four pupils from the St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls in Pretoria paid a visit on Monday to the hospital where ailing president Nelson Mandela is being treated.
The group of girls, aged between nine and 10, gathered at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital carrying a large card with a portrait of the anti-apartheid icon and handprints of different colours.
They read out their get-well messages and thanked him for his sacrifices, three days before the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's birthday.
“You taught South Africa that you can live in a village, but you never know what leads your way. If it wasn't for you, I would not be able to be in my school,” Ziko Pitse wrote in her letter to Mandela.
“Thank you for your sacrifices. I will want you to take this message and know that is never the end, get well soon.”
Earlier in the day, Mandela's daughter Makaziwe Mandela arrived at the hospital, shortly after Surgeon General Aubrey Sedibe.
At the hospital's Celliers Street entrance, the display of well-wishes on a wall continued to grow. Hand-made cards, balloons, flowers, and flags of various countries covered the wall.
Tshwane metro police again cordoned off Celliers Street, restricting traffic to residents, hospital visitors, and cars belonging to the media. Police at both entry points searched cars entering the hospital premises.
Outside broadcast vehicles remained parked on the Celliers Street pavement, and a handful of reporters were doing live crossings.
On Sunday, it was reported that former president Thabo Mbeki said he believed Mandela would be discharged soon to recuperate at home.
Mbeki reportedly said he knew the ailing elder statesman's doctors and they were doing an excellent job.
The last update from the presidency said Madiba was responding to treatment and was still in a critical but stable condition. - Sapa