Mandela @ 95; agonise not
I AM not sick, I am old," remarked Madiba in Joahannesburg late January in year 2011. That was after his admission in a Johannesburg hospital for some "specialised tests" . Undoubtedly the former South African President had faced a number of health challenges in recent times, notably "respiratory infections". Health challenges are certainly not unconnected to the condition at the notorious Robben Island prison in the 1980s, where the legendary leader contracted tuberculosis. This nonetheless, Mandela's remark two years ago, remains a worthy reminder that a man in his 90s is definitely not young even if not haunted by any affliction. Nelson Mandela turned 95 on July 18. The occassion of Mandela Day (an annual international day commendably adopted by the United Nations) offers an opportunity to re-echo the old freedom fighter that he is truly old not necessarily sick. Or better still to remind ourselves that Madiba suffers a natural inevitabe illness...