BBC Learning English
Words in the News
Nelson Mandela remains in hospital
10 June 2013
_____________________________________________________
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Nelson Mandela remains in hospital after being admitted for a lung infection. His
condition is still being described as "serious but stable". Mr Mandela, 94, was admitted to
a Pretoria hospital early on Saturday. Karen Allen reports for the BBC.
As the world's media gathered in Pretoria, where Nelson Mandela is being treated for a
recurrent lung infection, there's been no fresh information about his health status.
Whilst the absence of any official updates did little to help the speculation, many took
heart from a visit by Nelson Mandela's daughter Zindzi, who said that her father was
well and a fighter.
Although Mr Mandela has rallied in the face of past health scares, there is an
increasing acceptance among many South Africans that the former president is frail and
not immortal.
Commentators are now daring to talk of a time without Mandela, urging South Africans to
cherish his enduring achievements: an end to racist white rule and a constitution that
is the envy of the world, as much as the man himself.
