Anti-apartheid icon: Mandela still critical as relatives meet

Nelson Mandela fighting for his life in hospital.

QUNU, SOUTH AFRICA:

Nelson Mandela’s family huddled at his homestead on Tuesday to discuss the failing health of the South African anti-apartheid icon who was fighting for his life in hospital.

Messages of support poured in from around the world for the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who spent 27 years behind bars for his struggle under white minority rule and went on to become South Africa’s first black president.

Mandela remained in a critical condition Tuesday, the S African presidency said.

“We must keep him in our prayers and leave the rest to the Almighty to decide on,” Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said.

Family members including one of Mandela’s daughters were seen gathering for a meeting in the village of Qunu, where Mandela spent his childhood.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2013.