Mandela media task team established

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Pretoria - Government and media have agreed to establish a task team which will deal with protocols of operations to manage former President Nelson Mandela's health related issues in the future.

The decision was taken during a meeting between government and local and foreign media representatives on Monday.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi said the spirit of the meeting was positive and there was agreement and a meeting of minds on concerns about Madiba.

"All parties acknowledged that Madiba is indeed a persona of national interest and a global icon. All parties expressed appreciation around the concerns regarding Madiba's privacy and sensitivity in communicating on his health status," said Manyi.

All parties reiterated their resolve not to negatively impact on Madiba's dignity and his family's privacy.

He said the task team, made up of all parties concerned, would be established to discuss protocols of operations to manage Madiba's movements in the event of him having to go in and out of hospital.

The meeting comes after the former statesman was admitted to an undisclosed hospital at the weekend for a diagnostic laparoscopy, which entailed probing for the cause of a long-standing abdominal complaint.

He was discharged on Sunday and has resumed his normal day-to-day life at his Houghton home, the Presidency said on Monday.