Rumours again over the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela, were widely spread yesterday on social networking site, Twitter, raising concerns over his health. As rumours of the demise of this African legend were said to be a hoax, the African National Congress confirmed that his former wife, Winnie Madikizela- Mandela is recovering after minor surgery to her ankle at the Life Brenthurst Clinic, in Johannesburg. “Apparently she was admitted on Saturday when she experienced pain in her ankle,” ANC spokesperson Keith Khoza said.
“She was subsequently seen by a doctor and underwent a minor operation to her ankle.” She was recuperating well. Khoza was unsure when she would be discharged. South Africa’s City Press assistant editor Adriaan Basson tweeted, “Almost certain Mandela death is twitter hoax. According to a tweet, Zelda la Grange and the Nelson Mandela Foundation say there is no reason to worry, News24 reported. Zelda la Grange says she’s heard nothing like that and a family member told a South African SaPolitics1 newspaper reporter that “Tata is fine.” In another tweet, South Africa presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj was reported as saying “he is not aware that Mandela has passed away”.
Ryk van Niekerk, editor of Moneyweb, tweeted that the rumour is a hoax. “I have just confirmed this with a close family friend”. La Grange later tweeted, “You want a rumour to stop? Stop speaking about it. Thank you!!” As the rumours continue on Twitter, Mandela has become a trending topic in South Africa. In January 15 this year similar rumours were widely circulated on Twitter, which attracted the condemnations of ANC. Earlier yesterday a hospital confirmed Madikizela-Mandela’s admission, but would not give any further details.
“She has been admitted to our facility and she is doing fine. No further comments,” hospital spokesperson Veronica Holliday said. Madikizela-Mandela, 76, was elected to parliament as an ANC member in 2009. She is particularly popular among younger South Africans for her fiery style and calls for more to be done to lift the black majority out of poverty 17 years after white rule ended. She and Nelson Mandela divorced in 1996. But in recent years she has joined him at family events alongside his current wife, Graca Machel.
“She was subsequently seen by a doctor and underwent a minor operation to her ankle.” She was recuperating well. Khoza was unsure when she would be discharged. South Africa’s City Press assistant editor Adriaan Basson tweeted, “Almost certain Mandela death is twitter hoax. According to a tweet, Zelda la Grange and the Nelson Mandela Foundation say there is no reason to worry, News24 reported. Zelda la Grange says she’s heard nothing like that and a family member told a South African SaPolitics1 newspaper reporter that “Tata is fine.” In another tweet, South Africa presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj was reported as saying “he is not aware that Mandela has passed away”.
Ryk van Niekerk, editor of Moneyweb, tweeted that the rumour is a hoax. “I have just confirmed this with a close family friend”. La Grange later tweeted, “You want a rumour to stop? Stop speaking about it. Thank you!!” As the rumours continue on Twitter, Mandela has become a trending topic in South Africa. In January 15 this year similar rumours were widely circulated on Twitter, which attracted the condemnations of ANC. Earlier yesterday a hospital confirmed Madikizela-Mandela’s admission, but would not give any further details.
“She has been admitted to our facility and she is doing fine. No further comments,” hospital spokesperson Veronica Holliday said. Madikizela-Mandela, 76, was elected to parliament as an ANC member in 2009. She is particularly popular among younger South Africans for her fiery style and calls for more to be done to lift the black majority out of poverty 17 years after white rule ended. She and Nelson Mandela divorced in 1996. But in recent years she has joined him at family events alongside his current wife, Graca Machel.
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