Nelson Mandela: Is it time for South Africa to let him go?

So deep is the affection in South Africa for the country's first black President, Nelson Mandela, that the thought of his passing seems incomprehensible.

But deep down the millions who adore him know that that day is inevitable.

Following a string of health scares in the recent past, South Africans are beginning to come to terms with the mortality of their 94-year-old icon.

Still, this in an uncomfortable topic here.

Somadoda Fikeni, head of the South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra), puts it this way: "We no longer have an icon on his level, not only here in South Africa but in the world.

"People see him as the antidote to the current social ills we are faced with. That is why people are still holding on to him."

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According to Isintu - traditional South African culture - the very sick do not die unless the family 'releases' them spiritually”
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South Africans see Mr Mandela as the glue that is holding the country together and believe that the social challenges of crime, poverty, corruption and unemployment can only be overcome if they have him to inspire the country's leaders to greatness.

It might be too high an aspiration to place on one individual, but in the eyes of many here, Mr Mandela is no mere individual.

Nevertheless, for the first time it seems that the tone surrounding Mr Mandela's increasingly frail health is beginning to change.

The Sunday Times newspaper at the weekend led with the headline: "It's time to let him go."