Nicole Van Wyk
Anxious journalists on Thursday afternoon awaited news on former president Nelson Mandela’s health condition or whether he would be discharged from Milpark Hospital. Having camped out for hours on end, some reporters sat on the grass and pavement while other shifted their cameras about in anticipation of prominent people arriving to see the elderly statesman who had been admitted to hospital for what was said to be “”routine checks”. Among many dignitaries who arrived were Madiba’s former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his daughter Zindzi, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, personal assistant Zelda La Grange, ANC stalwart Albertina Sisulu and Chief Mandla Mandela along with an elderly man suspected to be a family member. Several international journalists also joined the throng of locals who waited outside the hospital. Chinese reporter Shoa Haijun said: “We want him to be healthy. Mandela is a good friend of China, we appreciate everything he has done for South Africa.”