Former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela, 95, is on his “deathbed” according to a member of his family. Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe Mandela tells media, “Tata is still with us, strong, courageous. Even for a lack of a better word …. on his `deathbed’ he is teaching us lessons; lessons in patience, in love, lessons of tolerance.
“Every moment I get with him I’m amazed. There are times where I have to pinch myself that I come from this man who is a fighter even though you can see he is struggling, but [the] fighting spirit is still there with him.”
The human rights champion has been receiving home based care since his release from a Pretoria, South Africa, hospital in September.
Mandela’s former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, says he doesn’t speak much because of the tubes that are used to keep his lungs clear of liquid. He communicates via facial expressions. She tells reporters, “He remains very sensitive to any germs, so he has to be kept literally sterile. The bedroom there is like an ICU (intensive care unit) ward.”
His grandson, Ndaba Mandela, confirms: “He is still with us although he is not doing well in bed.”
