Of course, Nelson Mandela is alive. He was in fact, discharged from the hospital today. Bush however, got the wrong information and quickly issued this statement.
The former president’s statement read:
“Barbara and I mourn the passing of one of the greatest believers in freedom we have had the privilege to know. As President, I watched in wonder as Nelson Mandela had the remarkable capacity to forgive his jailers following 26 years of wrongful imprisonment — setting a powerful example of redemption and grace for us all. He was a man of tremendous moral courage, who changed the course of history in his country. Barbara and I had great respect for President Mandela, and send our condolences to his family and countrymen.”
Moments after the statement was sent, the culprit – Bush’s spokesman Jim McGrath – tweeted that he was responsible for Bush getting the wrong information.
The 41 stmnt sent this morning was the result of my mis-reading the header on the WaPo news flash. Stupid mistake by me. Apologies to all.
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) September 1, 2013
Of course, by that time it was already too late. South Africa’s government rejected the statement, according to BNO news, who tweeted this:
Update with clarification: South African government denies Mandela death report pic.twitter.com/u37xcR2bED
— BNO News (@BNONews) September 1, 2013
Just another embarrassing moment for the Bushes.
