World sends best wishes to Mandela

31 March 2013 - 13:47 By Sapa
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World-wide well-wishes for former South African president Nelson Mandela continued as he entered the fourth day of treatment for pneumonia at an undisclosed hospital on Sunday.

Newspaper reports across the world focused on the 94-year-old global icon's well-being, after the presidency said on the weekend that Mandela was able to breathe without difficulty, after water on his lungs was drained.

African Union commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said she "joined world leaders" in wishing Mandela speedy recovery.

“As the African Union we join the people of South Africa, Africa and indeed the world in extending our thoughts and prayers to one of the revered leaders that the continent of Africa has produced, Nelson Mandela," said Dlamini-Zuma in a statement.

"The African Union, as does the rest of Africa and the world, wishes him a speedy recovery while expressing its great confidence in the ability of the medical team attending to his health,” she said.

Meanwhile on Twitter, Vampire Diaries American actor Ian Somerhalder tweeted his best wishes to Mandela, saying the world still needed him.

"Please please please get better Mr Mandela. We need you and we love you. You inspire us all to love one another..."

Another tweeter, Mario Rojas from Honduras, tweeted that "heroes don't always wear capes and masks #Mandela."

Masemene Moses from Limpopo in South African tweeted his gratitude to Mandela for giving South Africa freedom: "If u fill like resting its fine.bt ur legacy wil remain #madiba [sic]", he posted.

Shereen H Aljarrah from Pakistan thanked Madiba for being "An Inspuration For #Peace lovers around the world [sic]".

Mandela was admitted to hospital shortly before midnight on Wednesday.

Since them the presidency has updated the public several times telling them that Mandela is responding positively to treatment and remained comfortable.

A further update was not yet available on Sunday morning.

Over the last few months, Mandela has been in hospital a few times. His lengthiest stay was 18 days he spent in December in a Pretoria hospital during which he underwent an operation to remove gallstones and received treatment for his recurring lung infection.

South Africa's first black president has a long history of lung problems, dating back to the time when he contracted tuberculosis while a political prisoner on Robben Island during apartheid.

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