Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Outraged South Africans condemn Mandela 'exploitation' after photocall

A frail looking Nelson Mandela was visited by president Jacob Zuma yesterday – his first public appearance in nine months.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3N5GuSy7e8

(YouTube: telegraphtv)

SOUTH AFRICANS have voiced anger over the release of television footage showing a frail and distant Nelson Mandela being visited at home by ANC leaders after his latest health scare.

The ruling ANC was forced to defend itself from accusations it was exploiting the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon, who is recuperating after being hospitalised for a recurrent lung infection.

The images aired by state broadcaster SABC on Monday – the first public footage of the Nobel peace laureate in almost nine months – showed an unsmiling Mandela appearing dazed but seated upright on a couch, his legs covered in a blanket.

He was surround by ANC party leaders including President Jacob Zuma, who said Mandela was doing well and “up and about”.

South Africans took to social networks to accuse politicians of parading their national hero in front of the cameras for their own gain.

“It must take a politician to do stuff like that, because no normal human being would do anything like that to an old man,” said political commentator Palesa Morudu.

94-year-old squinted during flash photos

Mandela’s head was propped up by a pillow, he appeared to speak at one point and closed his eyes tight when someone in the room took a photo with flash.

Mandela’s eyesight is said to be highly sensitive to flashlight due to damage caused by the long time he spent working on a quarry during his imprisonment on Robben Island.

During his active political life photographers were given strict instructions not to use flashlights when photographing him.

“Very sad seeing the footage of Madiba. And who was the idiot who took a pic of him with a flash? Disgraceful. Leave him alone,” said popular radio DJ John Robbie – a former Irish rugby international – using Mandela’s clan name.

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu defended the visit saying it was meant to share the revered leader with the world, following a series of hospitalisations since December last year. Mandela had returned home on April 6 after 10 days of hospital treatment for the lung infection.

“We wanted to share Madiba in his frail state… to show the people of South Africa and the world that he is still with us,” said Mthembu.

“He is no longer a younger man, he will soon turn 95-years-old and he looks like any other person his age.”

But there was an groundswell of anger about the allegedly political overtones of the visit.

Local newspaper the Star plastered page three with the headline “Outrage over Madiba footage,” while The Times ran the headline “SABC’s ‘Madiba moment’ slammed.”

The ANC’s visit came as the party and its opponents rev-up their campaigns for next year’s presidential election.

Both are keen to present themselves as torch bearers for South Africa’s freedom struggle, that has gone off the rails in recent years.

- © AFP, 2013

Author
View 23 comments
Close
23 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marian Jennings Reilly
    Favourite Marian Jennings Reilly
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 8:27 AM

    Please god this lady is found safe

    219
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dalai Obama
    Favourite Dalai Obama
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 8:30 AM

    There is hope,last year a limerick woman suffering from Alzheimers was found alive and well in a field a few days after she went missing.

    Hope this beautiful woman is found alive and well.

    158
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rebecca eaton
    Favourite Rebecca eaton
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 8:48 AM

    Bless her I hope she is found soon safe and well my thoughts are with her family xx

    100
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brenda Campbell
    Favourite Brenda Campbell
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 1:41 PM

    Thankfully the weather is mild….a man, in similar circumstances, was found alive and well yesterday in Galway having been missing for 2 nights. He was located in a wooded area not far from where he had gone missing.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Moore
    Favourite Paul Moore
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 9:33 AM

    Its very sad when you hear things like this, I hope shes ok

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Doyle
    Favourite Tony Doyle
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 2:13 PM

    As a carer for my own Mum who has Alzhiemers,i pray that this beautiful Lady is found alive & well,i can’t imagine the torment that her family is going through.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Quigley
    Favourite Michael Quigley
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 9:54 AM

    Just heard this on this radio. Hopefully she is safe and will return home soon.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Quigley
    Favourite Michael Quigley
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 9:57 AM

    Inconsiderate before the spelling police arrive

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Quigley
    Favourite Michael Quigley
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 9:56 AM

    Show some respect anthony instead of writing inconsoderate comments.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Ryan
    Favourite Anne Ryan
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 11:15 AM

    Hope she is found safe,, poor woman :-(

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michelle Mc Loughney
    Favourite Michelle Mc Loughney
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 1:12 PM

    Yes. Hope there is a good outcome. Volunteers are the backbone of eveey community in a situation like this.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Lemur
    Favourite Larry Lemur
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 10:31 AM

    Anthony! What a moron

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Demirarslan Mallon
    Favourite Eileen Demirarslan Mallon
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 12:25 PM

    Jesus we trust in you

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emma
    Favourite Emma
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 2:14 PM

    Poor woman and her family hopefully she comes home safe

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Margaret Martin
    Favourite Margaret Martin
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 12:33 PM

    Pray to st Anthony.i payed for 2 missing people last week.both were found safe and well

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kitty Con Carne Burnell
    Favourite Kitty Con Carne Burnell
    Report
    Sep 26th 2013, 1:38 PM

    For all the people who red-thumbed this (who I assume are part of the anti-religion crusade)

    Whether or not praying actually works, it makes the person doing it feel like they’re helping. For family or friends who have exhausted all the options, it reassures them and makes them feel slightly safer knowing that they are appealing to a higher power (or that other people are doing that too, and keeping their loved one in their thoughts)

    Why red thumb what is basically good will? I don’t believe in a god but if someone wants to pray for me, I’d be happy that they considered me.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Margaret Martin
    Favourite Margaret Martin
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 3:19 PM

    Ignorant comment michelle

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michelle Mc Loughney
    Favourite Michelle Mc Loughney
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 3:59 PM

    I’ll pray for you to get over it.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Edel Byrne
    Favourite Edel Byrne
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 9:23 PM

    Very sad and must be so scary for the woman. Can’t imagine how she or her family feel. She is in my thoughts and prayers.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary O'dwyer
    Favourite Mary O'dwyer
    Report
    Sep 25th 2013, 4:50 PM

    Hope that this lovely kind woman is found safe and well

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Next upNext up:
      News in 60 seconds