Press Release

24 June 2013

Madiba’s (Nelson Mandela) critical health condition

President of the African Communities Forum Inc (ACOFI), Kizito Essuman, has appealed to the African community and the people of New Zealand to pray for Mr Mandela and his family.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Madiba and the family at this challenging time. I appeal to the New Zealand African community, the nation and the global community to remember Mr Mandela and his family in their prayers.” said Mr Essuman.

Mr Madiba was hospitalised on 8 June for what the South African government said was a recurring lung infection. It has been announced recently by the office of the South African government early this morning (New Zealand time) that Nelson Mandela’s health condition has deteriorated in the past few hours.

The current South African President, Jacob Zuma who was accompanied by the ANC deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, visited Mr Mandela on Sunday at the Medi-Clinic where he is being treated. President Zuma and Mr Ramaphosa have met the family and the medical team taking care of Mr Mandela. According to the medical team, Mr Mandela’s health condition had become critical over the past 24 hours.

“The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Mr Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands,” said President Zuma.

“Mr Mandela is a true icon of leadership, democracy, diversity and reconciliation. We hope to see him getting better soon,” said Mr Essuman.

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