Critically ill Mandela still a symbol of unity—Desmond Tutu

Former South African president, Nelson Mandela. AP FILE PHOTO

CAPE TOWN — Desmond Tutu on Sunday hailed Nelson Mandela as an “incredible, incredible person” who was still uniting South Africans from the hospital bed where he is battling for his life.

“Now after a life time of service, of giving, even stricken as he is in hospital, Madiba is uniting the nation again, this time in prayer,” said Tutu, referring to his friend’s clan name.

Citing the outpouring of wishes and prayers from all races, the retired archbishop said Mandela was still a bridge across the sometimes bitterly divided nation that he steered into multi-race democracy.

“Although our hearts are heavy, may we have the strength and the good sense to recognize this moment for what it is: an opportunity to reflect just once again on our promise to harness our collective energy,” he added.

With the nation’s first black leader entering his fourth week in hospital, the retired archbishop — who like Mandela is a Nobel peace laureate — said it was a “sombre moment in the life of our country”.

“We pray for his comfort and his dignity. We pray that we will be ready to commit him into the hands of our loving God,” he said at the opening of an exhibition on Mandela in Cape Town.

The 94-year-old was jailed for 27 years in and around the city, 18 of them on the notorious Robben Island prison.

He gave his first speech as a free man in 1990 from the balcony of the Cape Town city hall.

The city is holding a year long celebration of Mandela’s legacy.