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A woman prays for Madiba outside his hospital in Pretoria, SA. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

SA President cancels business trip to be near an ailing Mandela

An Australian minister has apologised for making a serious gaffe, telling a business dinner Mandela had died.

NELSON MANDELA, THE 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero, is on life support, unable to breathe on his own, an elder in the South African icon’s clan has said, giving no hope of a recovery.

President Jacob Zuma cancelled a trip to Mozambique after he visited Mandela in Pretoria hospital, where he “found him to be still in a critical condition.”

“President Zuma was briefed by the doctors who are still doing everything they can to ensure his well-being,” a statement from the presidency said.

Twenty-hours earlier Cape Town Archbishop Thabo Makgoba had visited the Mediclinic Heart Hospital to pray with wife Graca Machel “at this hard time of watching and waiting”.

Outside the hospital emotional crowds have gathered to hold a candlelight vigil, to offer their own prayers and remember the life of one of the last remaining giants of 20th century history.

Australian minister gaffe

Meanwhile, Australia’s Resources Minister Gary Gray has apologised after mistakenly telling a business dinner that ailing South African democracy icon had died.

Gray conveyed the information to the Minerals Council of Australia’s official dinner at Parliament House in Canberra, which he attended in place of Julia Gillard who was in the throes of a leadership crisis last night.

“I apologise unreservedly and am deeply sorry to have relayed what I thought was reliable advice,” Gray said in statement, adding that he had also conveyed his apology to South Africa’s high commissioner, the Australian parliament and the Minerals Council.

Additional reporting AFP

Reports: Nelson Mandela ‘on life support’

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    Mute Peter Fechter
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:25 PM

    The Sikh’s delivering aid….great people.

    162
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    Mute James Maloney
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:30 PM

    This is a glimpse of what’s to come after Britain voted to leave the EU. They wanted boarders & separation… then they got to deal with the consequences! Be careful what you vote for, you might get it!

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    Mute Thomas Quinn
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    Jul 25th 2016, 2:29 PM

    God Damn British Immigrants

    60
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    Mute John Moylan
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:38 PM

    …UK better get used to this: the days of fast passage are over..

    142
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    Mute Dotrice Altrium Hollohatch
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:42 PM

    There’s a lot more ports on the south/south-east coasts – and the Tunnel.

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    Mute tommy macdonagh
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:03 PM

    karma is a bitch…

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    Mute Niall O Neill
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:14 PM

    Karma is a kameleon…

    83
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    Mute James Maloney
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:32 PM

    What do they expect! This is a glimpse of what’s to come after Britain voted to leave the EU. They wanted boarders & separation… then they got to deal with the consequences! Be careful what you vote for, you might get it!

    37
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    Mute Dotrice Altrium Hollohatch
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:14 PM

    Many think this French slowdown is because of the UK’s decision to leave the EU – payback…

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    Mute Damocles
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:17 PM

    The French are being childish and petulant about the British making a decision they don’t agree with?

    Stevie Wonder saw that one coming.

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    Mute Mick Power
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:23 PM

    That’s just superstition

    72
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    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:43 PM

    Writing on the wall

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    Mute mmz
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:42 PM

    Blame, blame, blame…..but not a word about the lack of police and border staff in France and in England being due to cuts in staffing due to the neoliberal policies pursued by both governments in recent years. The beneficiaries are of course the city of London financial services parasites who have their private jets….no worries there then. How long before police and customs people are on zero hours contracts??

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    Mute Dotrice Altrium Hollohatch
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:47 PM

    This is not caused by cuts – but by the French reaction to Brexit. Thejournal showed the negative feelings here, also.

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    Mute Alan Cooke
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:29 PM

    @mmz
    Is that you Wally?

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    Mute dearg doom
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:23 PM

    Went from UK to France a few weeks ago and noone checked my boot.

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    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:59 PM

    Get used to it Britain. This is what you voted for, you 52%

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    Mute James Morris
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:04 PM

    Shocking levels of incompetence on both sides in the failure to have adequate staffing levels after brexit Nightmare scenario for poor families with kids especially and people with medical issues

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    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:48 PM

    Opening gambit of brexit negotiations by EU.

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    Mute Ricky Grimes
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:34 PM

    “People were very, very frustrated and pulling their hair out.’
    It would the average Sikh about 50 years to pull his hair out.

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    Mute Caroline Broadhurst
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:41 PM

    Now can they tell us if they found anything at all. France are always holding us to ransom

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Jul 25th 2016, 2:28 PM

    The terrorist are winning

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    Mute Jason Healy
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    Jul 26th 2016, 9:43 AM

    Again, once the tourists get caught up in a queue there is uproar, freight traffic goes through this every week, the ports of Dover and Calais are not fit for use, hasn’t been for a long time, the delays we have to endure are crazy but no one gives a damn

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