Story By: Ernest Bio Bogore, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

Nelson Mandela’s grandson has tested positive for coronavirus but received criticism for seemingly treating the diagnosis as a joke and referring to the virus as “the rona”.

Ndaba Mandela, 37, revealed he had contracted COVID-19 in a social media video entitled “I got by the #coronavirus,” which he has now deleted.

In the video, he reportedly said: “I have ‘the rona’ y’all, the rona! Can you believe that? I’m going to eat healthy and look after myself.

“I don’t feel like I am showing any symptoms, but I am now in quarantine for the next two weeks.”

Ndaba posted a second video on Instagram where he said that he was not taking the situation lightly.

In the clip he says: “This a serious situation and I don’t take it lightly for a second. However, you know when you’ve gone through so much in life, I know for example that stressing is not going to make a difference.

“Please don’t panic, as long as you wash your hands consistently, make sure that you have an alkaline diet… make sure you don’t indulge in mind-altering substances, especially alcohol because it lowers your immune system.

“And of course you need to consume a lot of water. Be vigilant, when you go outside your house. We are soldiers and we shall get through this.”

Thanking his close friends for their support, Ndaba said: “I am posting this video now because there are people who think I was not serious in my last post.”

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