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.

Giant photographs of former president Nelson Mandela are displayed at the Nelson Mandela Legacy Exhibition at the Civic Centre in Cape Town today. AP/Press Association Images

Nelson Mandela's condition 'improved during the night'

The anti-apartheid legend was visited by the current South African president earlier today.

THE CURRENT PRESIDENT of South Africa has said that Nelson Mandela’s condition improved overnight.

Jacob Zuma visited his 94-year-old predecessor earlier today and was informed by the medical team that he “remains critical but is now stable”.

In the latest update published by the presidency’s office, Zuma said: “I cancelled my visit to Mozambique today so that I could see him and confer with the doctors.

He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night. The medical team continues to do a sterling job.

“We must pray for Tata’s health and wish him well. We must also continue with our work and daily activities while Madiba remains hospitalised,” he told a concerned public.

The office said the President is disturbed by the “rumours that are being spread about the former leader’s health and appealed for “respect for the privacy and dignity of the former President”.

Yesterday, reports circulated that Madiba was on life support.

Mandela has been in hospital since 8 June when he was admitted over a recurring lung infection. The nation has been told to expect the worse and to “let go” of the man credited with ending decades of race struggles and inequality, creating the so-called rainbow nation.

Earlier: SA President cancels business trip to be near an ailing Mandela

18 years ago today, Mandela wore a Springbok jersey to present the Rugby World Cup

Outraged South Africans condemn Mandela ‘exploitation’ after photocall

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
13 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcgoo
    Favourite mcgoo
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 8:58 AM

    The crews are working their backsides off in fairness to them. It’s absolute misery being without power and water, in a lot of cases people are double whammied due to wells, pumping stations etc being knocked out. Our increasing dependency on electricity became very evident to me when we were without it for a few days this week and begs the question, should the esb be looking at under-grounding a substantial amount of our supply for safety and continuity reasons?

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Hartigan
    Favourite Tony Hartigan
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 9:34 AM

    @mcgoo: I am thinking trees should not be along roadsides where ESB cables usually run. There is a need to rethink about positioning due to the deaths and damage trees have done.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Skillington
    Favourite Tony Skillington
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 10:39 AM

    @Tony Hartigan: Or even burying them below ground.

    19
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 1:21 PM

    @Tony Skillington: Cost would be too high to bury the existing cables but future builds should ensure this is done.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seeking Truth
    Favourite Seeking Truth
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 8:56 AM

    How exciting to be part of a news article like this LOL. Looking forward to getting power back. Unfortunately all the food in the fridge and freezer is gone. Otherwise we are managing well. I do miss my morning cuppa (or two) and definitely have a caffeine addiction as I have a lovely headache!!

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Hartigan
    Favourite Tony Hartigan
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 9:30 AM

    @Seeking Truth: if the food in your fridge has thawed out why not contact Cork Penny Dinners they may have a use for it.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Clery
    Favourite Joe Clery
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 11:28 AM

    @Seeking Truth: Really food gone off so quick, I look in my fridge and nothing I think would be inedible in 2 days. The freezer will hold cold for 36 hours or so..Grill and eat before it thaws..

    4
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seeking Truth
    Favourite Seeking Truth
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 11:34 AM

    @Joe Clery: I would be nervous about eating ham and cheese and drinking milk that was not cool to the touch. Not trying to be wasteful just trying to be realistic. It has been 72 hours now. Hopefully a few things in the freezer are still useable but not the ice cream LOL

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 1:23 PM

    @Seeking Truth: cook the food if you can, you’ll get a bit longer with it them.

    I cooked pizza on a frying pan…. :)

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Huston
    Favourite David Huston
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 8:35 AM

    All thanks to that nixer Leo did yesterday,

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Tightlips
    Favourite Johnny Tightlips
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 8:43 AM

    Some places in cork are being told Tuesday now for power :(

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Sweeney
    Favourite Richard Sweeney
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 9:15 AM

    Got my power back in East Cork yesterday. It was horrific without it. I actually had to talk to the missus.

    Thanks to the Esb workers for restoring the power so quickly given the large scale damage we suffered here and spare a thought for them out in such awful conditions today.
    Here’s my place after it hit. Only superficial damage.
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/144468801@N05/37118878533/in/dateposted-friend/

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute OCallaghan TP
    Favourite OCallaghan TP
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 9:20 AM

    Still no power here in mallow..not one sign of an esb truck..all the food in freezer is only fit for the bin..im sorry to say I’m not one bit happy about the speed of how this was handled .. I cannot get through to customer service..

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Sheppard
    Favourite Gary Sheppard
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 11:23 AM

    They’ve gone so far as to pull crews in from other countries, exactly how much faster do you think they can work? Is your memory gone or can you remember that storm that has literally destroyed their infrastructure, necessitating huge repairs or complete rebuilds in some cases? Yes it sucks that you have to deal with a power outage but have some respect for the enormous workload that the ESB have to get through

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Finnster
    Favourite Finnster
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 11:50 AM

    Well done to the Esb workers and don’t forget the subcontractors that they bring in too. Tough job in these conditions

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karl Breen
    Favourite Karl Breen
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 5:37 PM

    Fairplay to the ESB on this, very well handled.

    I know it’s a pain to be without electricity for most of the week but look at the time it took Florida to get power back to business and homes after their recent hurricanes.

    ESB will get a hard time from people about wasted food in freezers and the likes, but there’s only so much they can do in one day. Keep up the good work!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute karen
    Favourite karen
    Report
    Oct 19th 2017, 12:40 PM

    Been told it will be Sunday night before get electricity back

    5
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
News in 60 seconds