Mandela's life seemingly slipping away

US First Lady Michelle Obama arrives in Dakar along with US President Barack Obama (out of frame). President Obama opens business on a long-awaited African tour by paying homage to innocents swept into the slave trade and will highlight Senegal's democracy with President Macky Sall.  The week-long three nation visit is meant to finally honor unfulfilled hopes for America's first black president in Africa, but is being overshadowed as anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela slips close to death. (AFP)

A child holds a candle as he prays for the recovery of Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic heart hospital in Pretoria. Mandela is receiving treatment at the Mediclinic heart hospital in Pretoria. (AFP)

A group of well wishers hold candles as they pray for the recovery of Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic heart hospital in Pretoria. (AFP)

The South African flag flies near Qunu. Qunu is the city where former South African President Nelson Mandela grew up. Mandela remains in critical condition in hospital in Pretoria where he is being visited by family members. (AFP)

South African women wearing huge earrings bearing a picture of former South African president Nelson Mandela stands outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, where Mandela lay in critical condition. (AFP)

People walk past a mural showing former South African president Nelson Mandela in Soweto, as the former president spends his 19th day in  the Mediclinic heart hospital in Pretoria. (AFP)

People stand near portraits of Nelson Mandela and messages left for him outside the Medi Clinic Heart hospital in Pretoria. Emotional crowds gathered outside the hospital where Nelson Mandela lay in critical condition. (AFP)

People stand outside the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital where former South African president Nelson Mandela lays in critical condition. (AFP)

Former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, center, arrives for a second time today at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated in Pretoria, South Africa. (AP)

Grandson Ndaba Mandela, left, granddaughter Ndileka Mandela, center, and daughter Makaziwe Mandela, right, arrive to visit for a second time today the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated in Pretoria, South Africa. (AP)

A young girl Tebanyo Nkosi, touches flowers outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated in Pretoria, South Africa. (AP)

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