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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.