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Former president Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel left his bedside on Thursday to thank South Africans for their demonstration of love for the ailing statesman.
She said she'd like to take the opportunity in the presence of ministers and the sport fraternity to thank everyone for the outpouring and humbling demonstration of love and care and the support of hope.
Machel was speaking at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton where ministers and members of the sporting fraternity delivered a pledge and messages of support for Mandela.
Earlier, Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula officially launched the Nelson Mandela Sports Day at a breakfast in Sandton.
The day will see the Springboks and Bafana Bafana playing respective international matches against Argentina and Burkina Faso at FNB Stadium on August 17.
Meanwhile Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela said at Mvezo in the Transkei on Thursday that his grandfather would be disappointed at the situation that unfolded in the Eastern Cape High Court.
Mandla Mandela was holding a media briefing to put across his side of the story after losing his attempt to rescind a court decision compelling him to move the remains of Madiba's children from Mvezo to Qunu.
He added that his grandfather's last will and testament remained a secret, and remained with people he appointed to administer it.
