PASSING motorists bombarded journalists with questions at 1 Military Hospital yesterday where they were awaiting news on the condition of former president Nelson Mandela.
The hospital is part of the Thaba Tshwane Military Base, a national security zone.
Soldiers manned the hospital's main entrance, using plastic cones to control the flow of vehicles.
Motorists stopping at a traffic light along the busy Voortrekker Road next to the Pretoria hospital sought updates on Mandela's health.
"Tell me please, is he still here? Has he been discharged?" enquired a motorist.
Another asked, "What are they saying? When is he going to be discharged?
"Tell him we wish him well, and good luck to you guys," said another motorist as she drove off. Others left messages of support. Some waved and hooted at the journalists.
Mandela was admitted to the hospital on Saturday to be treated for the recurrence of a lung infection.
Commuters and motorists curiously observed the large contingent of local and international journalists camping outside the hospital.
Apart from the cars belonging to journalists, four outside broadcast vans were also parked alongside Voortrekker Road, overlooking the main entrance of the institution.
Some media houses were doing shifts for journalists to be at the facility all the time. Morning teams were replaced by evening teams.
In the morning, some news crews headed for the main entrance, aiming for close-up shots of the hospital's buildings, but the soldiers turned them back. Every vehicle entering the premises was inspected. No high-profile visitors were seen driving through the main entrance yesterday. - Sapa
Motorists keen on Madiba's health
PASSING motorists bombarded journalists with questions at 1 Military Hospital yesterday where they were awaiting news on the condition of former president Nelson Mandela.
The hospital is part of the Thaba Tshwane Military Base, a national security zone.
Soldiers manned the hospital's main entrance, using plastic cones to control the flow of vehicles.
Motorists stopping at a traffic light along the busy Voortrekker Road next to the Pretoria hospital sought updates on Mandela's health.
"Tell me please, is he still here? Has he been discharged?" enquired a motorist.
Another asked, "What are they saying? When is he going to be discharged?
"Tell him we wish him well, and good luck to you guys," said another motorist as she drove off. Others left messages of support. Some waved and hooted at the journalists.
Mandela was admitted to the hospital on Saturday to be treated for the recurrence of a lung infection.
Commuters and motorists curiously observed the large contingent of local and international journalists camping outside the hospital.
Apart from the cars belonging to journalists, four outside broadcast vans were also parked alongside Voortrekker Road, overlooking the main entrance of the institution.
Some media houses were doing shifts for journalists to be at the facility all the time. Morning teams were replaced by evening teams.
In the morning, some news crews headed for the main entrance, aiming for close-up shots of the hospital's buildings, but the soldiers turned them back. Every vehicle entering the premises was inspected. No high-profile visitors were seen driving through the main entrance yesterday. - Sapa
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