Nelson Mandela | GlobalPost

Grandson takes up Mandela challenge to serve

Agence France-PresseJune 18, 2013 01:01

Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla wanted to be a disc jockey but his illustrious grandfather had other ideas for him -- passing down a lesson on the responsibility that South Africa's most famous surname carries. The anti-apartheid hero chose his 38-year-old grandson as the first Mandela in decades to be chief of his rural birthplace Mvezo in the Eastern Cape six years ago. "My grandfather has always been my role model. He's an inspiration to the work I do today," Mandela, whose father was Makgatho from the hero's first marriage, told AFP.

Nelson Mandela 'doing very well', daughter says

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 17:00

Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital for 10 days suffering a lung infection, is "doing very well", one of his daughters said on Monday. "He is doing very well," Zenani Mandela-Dlamini, South Africa's ambassador to Argentina, told reporters gathered outside the Pretoria hospital treating the 94-year-old Mandela. Earlier Monday the anti-apartheid hero's wife Graca Machel thanked the world for its messages of support which she said had eased "the burden of anxiety".

Mandela's wife thanks world for supporting ailing husband

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 07:31

Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel thanked the world on Monday for its messages of support for the ailing anti-apartheid icon which she said had eased "the burden of anxiety". South Africa's first black president, 94, was rushed to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 with a recurrent lung infection and remains in a serious condition although he is said to be improving. "Our gratitude is difficult to express. But the love and peace we feel give yet more life to the simple 'Thank you!'," Machel, 67, said in a message.

In Mandela's footsteps in Johannesburg

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 07:00

A guided tour of key Johannesburg sites linked to Nelson Mandela has long been popular with visitors and residents alike, but the walk in the footsteps of the South African giant has gained added poignancy as his health declines. Tour guide Jo Buitendach had a capacity crowd of about 20 people at the weekend for the walk in Ferreirasdorp, a western Johannesburg suburb where the anti-apartheid hero first practised law.

Mandela showing 'sustained' improvement

Agence France-PresseJune 16, 2013 12:30

Nelson Mandela is showing a "sustained" improvement after more than a week in hospital battling a lung infection although his condition remains serious, South African President Jacob Zuma said Sunday. "As you are aware, president Nelson Mandela is still in hospital in Pretoria. We are grateful that he continues to get better," Zuma said at a public rally. "Over the last two days, although he remains serious, his doctors have stated that his improvement has been sustained. He continues to engage with family."

Nelson Mandela 'continues to get better'

Agence France-PresseJune 16, 2013 10:00

Nelson Mandela "continues to get better" after more than a week in hospital battling a lung infection although his condition remains serious, South African President Jacob Zuma said Sunday. "As you are aware, president Nelson Mandela is still in hospital in Pretoria. We are grateful that he continues to get better," Zuma said at a public rally. "Over the last two days, although he remains serious, his doctors have stated that his improvement has been sustained. He continues to engage with family."

Nelson Mandela 'continues to get better'

Agence France-PresseJune 16, 2013 09:30

Mandela: our hero and our neighbour

Agence France-PresseJune 16, 2013 03:30

Long before Nelson Mandela's persistent ill health, Kekana Mangqwambi would drop in on his famous neighbour and rib the revered icon about his love life. The 92-year-old, Mandela's junior by just two years, met South Africa's first black leader after he returned to his childhood village Qunu once freed from an apartheid jail. "We used to spend time together. I normally arrived at night," said Mangqwambi sitting outside a thatched mud hut in the winter sun.

Mandela 'looks good' in hospital

Agence France-PresseJune 15, 2013 16:38

Nelson Mandela seems to be on the road to recovery from a recurrent lung infection, a grandson said Saturday after visiting South Africa's anti-apartheid hero in hospital. The remarks by Mandla Mandela were the latest sign that his 94-year-old grandfather was responding to treatment after being rushed to hospital a week ago. Mandla said the man who became South Africa's first black president "looked good" when he visited him in a Pretoria hospital, where he has been listed in a serious condition.

Mandela improving, spends sixth day in hospital

Agence France-PresseJune 13, 2013 05:31

Nelson Mandela remained in hospital for a sixth day on Thursday receiving treatment for a lung infection after South Africa's president said the revered anti-apartheid icon was improving. A small group of people held a candlelight vigil overnight outside the private clinic in Pretoria where the 94-year-old was admitted almost a week ago. It marked the fourth time since December that Mandela had been admitted to hospital for a pulmonary condition that has plagued him for years.