South Africa Braces for Mandela Farewell

With Nelson Mandela's condition said to be critical, South Africans—who'd been praying for his recovery—are now preparing to bid goodbye to the former president, with Reuters citing "a perceptible change in mood." "If it's his time to go, he can go. I wish God can look after him," says a nurse. Others worry the hospital is artificially extending his life. "The man is old. Let nature take its course. He must just rest," says one.

President Jacob Zuma weighed in on Mandela's health after visiting him last night. "All of us in the country must accept that Madiba is now old. As he ages, his health will trouble him," he said. "Given the hour, he was already asleep. We saw him ... and then we had a bit of a discussion with the doctors and his wife," Zuma noted. "I don't think I'm in a position to give further details." (More Nelson Mandela stories.)