Mandela in “critical but stable condition” – Zuma

Nelson Mandela remains in a critical but
stable condition, South African President
Jacob Zuma said Tuesday, more than two
months after the anti-apartheid hero was
hospitalised with a recurring lung infection.
“Former president Mandela is still in hospital
receiving treatment and remains in a critical
but stable condition,” Zuma said in speech
issued by the presidency.
Mandela, 95, has been receiving treatment
for a recurring respiratory illness at a private
hospital in the capital Pretoria since June 8.
He was previously said to be on life support,
but his condition has been lately described
as serious but improving.
Early this month, his former wife Winnie
Madikizela-Mandela told Sky News that he
was “now breathing normally” and that
doctors had kept draining fluid from his
lungs.
Zuma gave the latest health update during a
visit to Malaysia, where he received an
award on Mandela’s behalf.
The southeast Asian nation honoured the
ailing statesman with the inaugural
Mahathir Global Peace Award, named after
the country’s former prime minister.
Zuma said South Africans were humbled to
share South Africa’s revered peace icon with
the world.
“While wishing him good health, we also
have to celebrate his legacy and learn from
it, in order to build a better world.”
Madiba, as he is known by his clan name,
has been in and out of hospital since last
year, with lung related complications.
In December, he spent nearly three weeks in
hospital where he was treated for a lung
infection and gall stones.
This is his longest hospitalization since he
walked free from jail in 1990 and went on
to become the country’s first leader to be
elected in all-race elections.
Political leaders from across the world and
the South African public have been sending
Mandela messages of support since his
admission. AFP