Ailing anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela began a 27th day in hospital on Thursday, amid a family dispute over the graves of three of his children.
The spat over the site of the Mandela family graves has transfixed and appalled South Africa's 53 million people as they contemplate the reality that the father of the post-apartheid "Rainbow Nation" will not be with them forever.
In a court affidavit filed against Mandla last week, Mandela's eldest daughter, Makaziwe, argued for an urgent hearing, saying her father was in a "perilous" condition and breathing with the aid of life-support, local media said.
Meanwhile South Africans continue to pray for the ailing statesman as he fights for his life in hospital.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LOCAL RESIDENT, PARDON MOSASA, SAYING:
"I would like to wish him a speedy recovery and wish him many more years. He is an icon in our continent and I would just like to wish him well."
