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"The final struggle: Critical hours for Madiba" - Daily Sun

The front page and lead story of SA's largest daily newspaper, June 26 2013

Daily Sun (June 26 2013) - NELSON MANDELA'S fight for life entered critical hours in hospital in Pretoria last night. But there were growing signs that the 94-year-old statesman may be losing his final struggle.

IN A SUDDEN BURST OF ACTIVITY, COPS ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL LATE YESTERDAY. The cops from SAPS and Tshwane Metro cordoned off Cilliers Street adjoining the private Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital.

About 200 people gathered round singing the praise song Ga a yo o tshwanang le yena - "There is none like him". Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa also arrived and went inside. Meanwhile in Qunu, the Eastern Cape home village of Madiba, an urgent meeting of family and elders was being held, according to Sapa. Among those who arrived at the Mandela homestead were grandsons Mandla Mandela, Thanduxolo Mandela, Ndaba Mandela, Ndileka Mandela and Chief Bhovulengwe of the Abathembu royal council.

In what could be another significant move, grandson Ndaba Mandela was reported to have visited the gravesite outside Qunu where Madiba's relatives are buried.

Napilisi Mandela, an elder in the Mandela family, who usually presides over the family's meetings and rituals, said the meeting was about delicate matters surrounding Rolihlahla. Television news cameras and journalists camped outside the house on the opposite side of the N2 highway as the men arrived.

In yesterday's update on Madiba's health, the Presidency reported that his condition remained unchanged, and doctors continued to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort.

President Zuma, speaking from Giyani, where he was paying a visit, once again thanked the public for its ongoing support and understanding and called for "sensitivity, dignity and privacy" for the Mandela family. Daily Sun understands that the president was making plans to return to Pretoria. ....

See the Daily Sun mobi site for more on this and other stories....

The Daily Sun is South Africa's largest daily newspaper with an average circulation of 330 000 and a readership of 5.7m (as per AMPS 2012ab). Its Facebook page can be accessed here. It can be followed on Twitter here. To find about advertising on the Daily Sun click here.

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