I elected to wait out Monday (yesterday) before commenting on this frontpage story that made the Sunday Times frontpage. This was so I could have a good knowledge of the reaction that came from various media and organisational bodies, after all it is high election time in South Africa.

The article in question carried the headline, "ANC risked Madiba's health by parading him at Zuma rally" and also a highlighted quote from a 'family friend' that went like this, "Shame, the old man does'nt deserve this kind of nonsense".

The article goes on to report that protocol was not followed because Jacob Zuma's VIP security team also served to make arrangements for Madiba to attend the rally. no medical arrangements were allegedly made for emergencies and that he arrived home a few hours after he normally would have startedto prepare for bed on a normal day. There are other points mentioned in the article but these are just protocol related and seem to be from a source from the Nelson Mandela Foundation, you know the kind that says, For Madiba to go anywhere, we need to do X, Y, and Z.

Consider this,

Was Madiba  forced to attend the ANC Rally ? No

Is he in a position to make his own decisions regarding where and what functions  he attends ? Yes

As an ANC member ( Madiba is retired from active politics ) , is there anyunwritten rule that madiba cannot or should not attend his parties rallies of choice ? No

The Nelson Madela Foundation that manages Former President Mandela's activities is now silent on this issue even though they gave serious basis to the Sunday time Article.

Did the ANC want to harm Madiba ? No

The Sunday Times used the word"paraded' in the articls heading. Is this not denigrating of our Madiba ? Was he a puppet or was he forcibaly bundled into a car and plane and attended the rally against his wishes ?

Was it previously made known that Madiba would attend the Rally ? Yes

There are many other points I could highlight but the above seem to be sufficient for now ( time is at a premium currently ).  The article in question is obviously heavily Anti ANC, ANTI Jacob Zuma and makes a mockery of the most respected former President of South Africa, if not the world.

 Just for the record, I am not a member of the ANC.