Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

VIDEO For Nelson Mandela: Johnny Clegg's 'Asimbonanga'

A message for "Dear Tata" (Nelson Mandela) outside the hospital in Pretoria where he is being treated.
Alexander Joe
/
AFP/Getty Images
A message for "Dear Tata" (Nelson Mandela) outside the hospital in Pretoria where he is being treated.

Nelson Mandela remains in critical condition at a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, where the 94-year-old anti-apartheid legend and former president is being treated for a respiratory infection.

President Jacob Zuma's office said Tuesday that Mandela's "condition remains unchanged in hospital and doctors continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort."

According to South Africa's News 24, "family members have been seen arriving for a meeting" in Mandela's home village. And it adds that:

"Mandela's eldest daughter Makaziwe has said her father appears to be at peace with himself.

" 'He has given so much to the world. I believe he is at peace.' "

News 24 also reports that "treasured pictures taken with former President Nelson Mandela, inspirational quotes by the anti-apartheid icon, and messages of support to him and his family" are pouring onto social media from South Africans.

Among the tributes getting some attention on the Web is a video of singer Johnny Clegg's 1999 performance of "Asimbonanga" ("we have not seen him"), a song he wrote in 1986 about Mandela — when Mandela was still in prison.

As you'll see, Mandela himself comes on stage to dance.

Clegg's lyrics are here.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Mark Memmott is NPR's supervising senior editor for Standards & Practices. In that role, he's a resource for NPR's journalists – helping them raise the right questions as they do their work and uphold the organization's standards.
News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.