Visits to Madiba part of history

Visiting the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria where former president Nelson Mandela remains in a critical condition is about teaching his legacy and being part of history, visitors said on Sunday.

   

Spruitview resident Vusumzi Makalima brought his four children to the hospital to teach them about Mandela.

  

"The kids wanted to know where Madiba was... what he did, and why he was in prison," he said.

   

"I wanted to teach them about what he did for the country, and show them where he was hospitalised." 

   

He said the visit was about teaching Mandela's legacy to his children so they would not forget.

   

His children had written letters for Mandela, which they placed on a growing wall of well-wishes outside the hospital.

   

Ovayo Makalima, 9, said she wanted to wish Madiba well.

   

"I said in the message - we love you Madiba and get well soon." 

   

Her older sister Thandiswa Makalima said: "I think he's a great man and very kind. All of South Africa loves him." 

   

Another Johannesburg resident visited to be a part of history.

   

"This will go down in the history books and I wanted to be a part of history," said Joel Mdantshe.

   

"Mandela will be a man in the history books that will not be forgotten." 

   

Mdantshe and his friends posed for pictures at the shrine and said they would keep the pictures safe to remember that they visited the hospital where Mandela was.

   

"Even if we can't see him, we will remember that we were here, so close to him, just the building standing between us and Tata," said Mdantshe.

   

Sunday marked Mandela's 37th day in hospital. He was admitted on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.

   

The Presidency said last week that he remained in a critical but stable condition.

   

-Sapa