Steady stream of visitors for Madiba

Wellwishers sing as they gather to wish to former President Nelson Mandela happy birthday outside the hospital where he is being treated in Pretoria. Picture: Mike Hutchings

Wellwishers sing as they gather to wish to former President Nelson Mandela happy birthday outside the hospital where he is being treated in Pretoria. Picture: Mike Hutchings

Published Jul 18, 2013

Share

Pretoria - Former president Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa were among the visitors to the Mediclinic Heart Hospital for Madiba's birthday on Thursday.

Ramokgopa, Tshwane metro police chief Steven Ngobeni, and city manager Jason Ngobeni signed a photograph of Mandela while the metro police brass band and choir performed.

Mandela is spending his 95th birthday in the Pretoria hospital, where he was admitted on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement earlier that Mandela's health was steadily improving.

Madikizela-Mandela emerged from the hospital's Park Street entrance with Ramokgopa to display a collage of photographs of Mandela and his family at his birthday celebrations in the past five years.

She did not speak. However, the Mandela family's official photographer Kevin Joseph said the collection of pictures was officially unveiled only on Thursday.

Pointing to one of the images, he said: “The picture down here is of Mandela and the boys (Mandela's grandsons and great-grandsons) on his 92nd birthday in Qunu”.

Madikizela-Mandela and Mandela's daughter Makaziwe Mandela arrived at the hospital around 12.30pm.

Minutes later, a woman carrying a massive cake walked towards the hospital entrance.

On Wednesday, Nkosi Vulukhanyo Fadana, a spokesman for the AbaThembu royal house, said it was understood that a lunch would be held at the hospital for Mandela's family and others to mark Mandela's birthday.

Massive crowds were gathered outside the hospital, where President Jacob Zuma and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula earlier heard a military brass band play the national anthem in Mandela's honour. - Sapa

Related Topics: