Former President Nelson Mandela in Critical Condition

South Africa’s beloved  former President Nelson Mandela is in critical condition tonight in hospital in Pretoria.

President Jacob Zuma announced tonight that “the doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands.”

President Zuma visited Mandela, known more fondly by the nation as Tata Madiba, this evening (23 June) in hospital. Zuma was accompanied by ANC Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.

They were briefed by the medical team who informed them that the 94-year-old’s condition had become critical over the past 24 hours.

The President and Deputy President also met with Mandela’s wife Mrs Graca Machel to discuss his condition. Mandela has been battling a recurrent lung infection since he was admitted to hospital two weeks ago.

According to a statement on The Presidency’s website, Zuma and Ramaphosa were assured by the doctors that when the ambulance transporting former President Mandela to hospital on the 8th of June developed engine problems, all care was taken to ensure that his medical condition was not compromised.

President Zuma said “there were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period. He had expert medical care. The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The doctors also dismissed the media reports that Madiba suffered cardiac arrest. There is no truth at all in that report.”

President Zuma has appealed to the nation and the world to pray for Madiba, the family and the medical team that is attending to him during this difficult time.

Mandela’s grandchildren Swati Dlamini and Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway posted on their joint Twitter page, Being Mandela: “Let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is not only aware of us but cares for us. He is our Father.”

One Facebook post, by South African Philippa McGregor, summed up the country’s feelings tonight: “Please hold our father, Tata Madiba in your prayers tonight. Such a long and courageous journey so gracefully walked and boldly pursued, totally selflessly. Not many can say they lived their lives wholly for the benefit of others but you Nelson Mandela did just that. We lift your banner high tonight and praise your name to God.”