Mandela breathing normally
10 Aug Xinhua
Ailing former South African president Nelson Mandela is now breathing
normally, his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said .
Winnie denied reports that Mandela was in a permanent vegetative
state, saying there was no need to conceal the fact.Mandela's eyes still
"lit up" when his children came to visit him, Winnie told the British
Sky News. "That is how he communicates with them.Winnie said the medical
team has done a good job in ensuring that Mandela remains "comfortable."
Mandela has been hospitalized for exactly two months. He was admitted
to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 for a recurring lung infection.Winnie
said Mandela's family members knew "the inevitable" would happen, but
only God could decide when that would be.She said family members have
been hurt by continual reports of his demise.It's so cruel," she said.
"All around us we see people erecting scaffolding, preparing for a
funeral. He has been pre- deceased. Do people not think of our emotions?
For those of us who know him, who know his strength, it is very hard"
to see him lying vulnerable in his hospital bed, she added.The
government said last week that Mandela remained in a critical but stable
condition and continued to show signs of sustained improvement.On
Wednesday, Mandela's wife Graca Machel reportedly told Anglican Bishop
Joe Seoka that Mandela was conscious and aware.
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