As the world's media gathered in Pretoria, where Nelson Mandela is being treated for a recurrent lung infection, there's been no fresh information about his health status.
Whilst the absence of any official updates did little to help the speculation, many took heart from a visit by Nelson Mandela's daughter Zindzi, who said that her father was well and a fighter.
Although Mr Mandela has rallied in the face of past health scares, there is an increasing acceptance among many South Africans that the former president is frail and not immortal.
Commentators are now daring to talk of a time without Mandela, urging South Africans to cherish his enduring achievements: an end to racist white rule and a constitution that is the envy of the world, as much as the man himself.
Попробуйте наше мобильное приложение для аудирования: http://pocketenglish.ru/?page_id=355