According to the Associated Press, former South African President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from the hospital today after overcoming an acute respiratory infection.
Surgeon-General Vejaynand Ramlakan told reporters that the anti-apartheid icon would now receive care at home after about 48 hours in Johannesburg’s Milpark Hospital.
“It comes to us this afternoon with great joy to hear that he’s been discharged,” grandson Mandla Mandela told reporters at a hospital news conference that included Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Soon afterward, a convoy of security vehicles and a military ambulance carrying Mandela left the hospital, reaching his nearby home in minutes. Neighbors were happy to have him back.
“Everyone was holding their hearts and saying not now,” said Patricia Ramaila, who has lived across the street from Mandela for four years. “A person like Mr. Mandela – we still need him.”
