Family members of a critically ill Nelson Mandela have arrived at the MediClinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, where the 94-year-old is being treated. The family members include his eldest daughter Makaziwe, an elderly Mandela family member and his grandchildren, according to latest reports by the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

“The number of well-wishers for Madiba is increasing at an alarming rate as more and more people are flocking to the entrance of the hospital,” according to SABC.

The Mandela family met twice over the past three days to discuss his fate and reports say the iconic world statesman is now on life support. It is unclear if the family is ready to ask doctors to switch off the machine and allow the anti-apartheid hero to “go in peace” as some have suggested.

Meanwhile, Mandela’s elder daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, has spoken out for the first time about her father’s health and other issues in an exclusive interview with the SABC.
According to the SABC: “Makaziwe slams the media for camping outside the hospital and Qunu, Eastern Cape. She compares their behaviour to ‘vultures’ or ‘lions’ waiting on a prey.
“She says that they have also cancelled the ailing statesman’s birthday gala dinner and that they will ‘do nothing extraordinary around his birthday because of the situation’. Mandela’s birthday is on July 18, and it’s usually celebrated throughout the world as Mandela Day.
“Makaziwe also touches on the ‘family’ meeting which was recently held in Qunu; the recent court involving Mandela’s legacy and the cleaning of the graves.
“On the recent feuds between SA political parties on the ‘ownership’ of Mandela, she emphasises that Madiba will always belong to the ANC and not any other party (ie DA or Agang). ‘Tata always says that when he dies, he will look for the ANC and join it.’ ”
Mandela is spending a 20th day at a Pretoria hospital where he's being treated for a recurring lung infection. He was rushed to hospital on 8 June.
Despite intensive treatment at Pretoria’s Mediclinic Heart Hospital, the Madiba’s condition appears to have suddenly and dramatically deteriorated in recent days. Makaziwe has reiterated that “Tata is very critical and anything is imminent.”
Mandela’s condition has also forced President Jacob Zuma to cancel his trip to Mozambique.

•Photo, courtesy SABC, shows Mandela’s elder daughter, Makaziwe Mandela.

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