Nelson Mandela discharged from hospital
JOHANNESBURG: Doctors discharged Nelson Mandela from hospital on Friday after he was successfully treated for breathing difficulties during a two-day stay where he laughed and joked with visitors.
The country's surgeon general told reporters that the anti-apartheid hero had suffered an acute respiratory infection but was now sufficiently well to be treated at home, ending considerable concern about his health.
"He has been discharged," said Vejaynand Ramlakan, who leads the team of military doctors assigned to care for the former resistance leader who left prison in 1990 and became the country's first black leader four years later.
"Dr Mandela is in high spirits. For a 92-year-old he surprises us on a daily basis with his powers of recovery.
"He is stable, but will be subject to intense monitoring," Ramlakan added, when asked about the follow-up treatment Mandela would receive.
An ambulance was later seen arriving at the ex-president's home in Houghton in Johannesburg after his family made arrangements for him to return and where scores of neighbours and well-wishers had gathered.
"Our daddy is back," said Lina Phalane, a 67-year-old maid who works in the same street. "Please God, give him some more days to live with us," she said.
A security official from the 20-vehicle convoy confirmed that Mandela travelled home in the second of two ambulances in the motorcade.
Speaking at a joint press conference at Milpark hospital in Johannesburg, alongside surgeon general Ramlakan, one of Mandela's grandsons spoke of the family's relief.
"We enjoy having our grandfather around, this afternoon it came as a joy that he was to be discharged," said Mandla Mandela.
Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe said the ex-South African president was well and had been laughing and joking with visitors.
"We should remain calm and continue with our prayers that Madiba (Mandela's clan name) will be with us to celebrate his 9! 3rd birt hday... and beyond," he said, conceding that the use of a complete media blackout since Wednesday may have been flawed.
Motlanthe had earlier said Mandela's hospital was caused by long-term respiratory problems.
"He has suffered from tuberculosis whilst on Robben Island and has had previous respiratory infections," he added, referring to the notorious prison where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in jail during the apartheid struggle.
The Nobel peace laureate's condition has gripped the nation.
Media had surrounded the hospital where tight security has seen police checking all visitors' cars to ensure no journalists were hiding in the boot.
A nearby school was decorated with messages of support.
"All we want is just the best for him and for him to recover and go home and be with his family," said Sibongile Dlamini, a 17-year-old, grade 12 pupil.
On Thursday, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who described Mandela as frail after meeting him last week, said Madiba remained in "amazing" condition for his age, but did not comment specifically on his hospitalisation.
"What more do we want from him? We want him to remain forever, but you know... anything can happen," Tutu, a leading figure during the anti-apartheid struggle, said.
The ruling African National Congress party earlier urged people to refrain from speculation and the White House said that President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle's thoughts were with Mandela.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation, established to continue his charitable work after he withdrew from public life in 2004, said Wednesday that Madiba was undergoing "routine tests" but made no further comment.
Mandela emerged from incarceration 21 years ago and went on to lead the country's transition from white minority rule to democracy.
After being elected as South African president in 1994, he defied the threat of civil war to lead a process of reconciliation in a country long divided again! st itsel f.
His public appearances have become increasingly rare since retirement in 2004, the last such outing being at the closing ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg in July.
The country's surgeon general told reporters that the anti-apartheid hero had suffered an acute respiratory infection but was now sufficiently well to be treated at home, ending considerable concern about his health.
"He has been discharged," said Vejaynand Ramlakan, who leads the team of military doctors assigned to care for the former resistance leader who left prison in 1990 and became the country's first black leader four years later.
"Dr Mandela is in high spirits. For a 92-year-old he surprises us on a daily basis with his powers of recovery.
"He is stable, but will be subject to intense monitoring," Ramlakan added, when asked about the follow-up treatment Mandela would receive.
An ambulance was later seen arriving at the ex-president's home in Houghton in Johannesburg after his family made arrangements for him to return and where scores of neighbours and well-wishers had gathered.
"Our daddy is back," said Lina Phalane, a 67-year-old maid who works in the same street. "Please God, give him some more days to live with us," she said.
A security official from the 20-vehicle convoy confirmed that Mandela travelled home in the second of two ambulances in the motorcade.
Speaking at a joint press conference at Milpark hospital in Johannesburg, alongside surgeon general Ramlakan, one of Mandela's grandsons spoke of the family's relief.
"We enjoy having our grandfather around, this afternoon it came as a joy that he was to be discharged," said Mandla Mandela.
Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe said the ex-South African president was well and had been laughing and joking with visitors.
"We should remain calm and continue with our prayers that Madiba (Mandela's clan name) will be with us to celebrate his 9! 3rd birt hday... and beyond," he said, conceding that the use of a complete media blackout since Wednesday may have been flawed.
Motlanthe had earlier said Mandela's hospital was caused by long-term respiratory problems.
"He has suffered from tuberculosis whilst on Robben Island and has had previous respiratory infections," he added, referring to the notorious prison where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in jail during the apartheid struggle.
The Nobel peace laureate's condition has gripped the nation.
Media had surrounded the hospital where tight security has seen police checking all visitors' cars to ensure no journalists were hiding in the boot.
A nearby school was decorated with messages of support.
"All we want is just the best for him and for him to recover and go home and be with his family," said Sibongile Dlamini, a 17-year-old, grade 12 pupil.
On Thursday, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who described Mandela as frail after meeting him last week, said Madiba remained in "amazing" condition for his age, but did not comment specifically on his hospitalisation.
"What more do we want from him? We want him to remain forever, but you know... anything can happen," Tutu, a leading figure during the anti-apartheid struggle, said.
The ruling African National Congress party earlier urged people to refrain from speculation and the White House said that President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle's thoughts were with Mandela.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation, established to continue his charitable work after he withdrew from public life in 2004, said Wednesday that Madiba was undergoing "routine tests" but made no further comment.
Mandela emerged from incarceration 21 years ago and went on to lead the country's transition from white minority rule to democracy.
After being elected as South African president in 1994, he defied the threat of civil war to lead a process of reconciliation in a country long divided again! st itsel f.
His public appearances have become increasingly rare since retirement in 2004, the last such outing being at the closing ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg in July.
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