Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma says former President Nelson Mandela is responding better to treatment after a difficult couple of days.
Presenting the Presidency’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday, President Zuma said he was happy with the progress that the elderly statesman was making after he was admitted to a Pretoria hospital with a recurring lung infection.
“On this crucial historical anniversary, our thoughts are with President Mandela and his family. I am happy to report that Madiba is responding better to treatment from this morning. We are very happy with the progress that he is now making, following a difficult last few days,” he said. Zuma was referring to the 49th anniversary of the sentencing of President Mandela to life imprisonment in 1964.
Zuma’s comments come after the attention of the country and the world once again shifted to Mandela’s health when he was taken to hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Since Mandela – who turns 95 next month – was hospitalised, the Presidency said in updates on his health that he was in a serious but stable condition, and restricted visits to close family and relatives because he was in intensive care.
Local and international media houses have been camping outside Mandela’s home in Houghton while some have been stationed outside the hospital.
Zuma’s comments will be met with a sigh of relief by millions of people, most of whom have been sending messages of support to his family.
“We appreciate the messages of support from all over the world. It is an honour for us as South Africans to share Madiba with the international community.
“We fully understand and appreciate the global interest in this world icon. We are so proud to call him our own.
“We urge South Africans and the international community to continue to keep President Mandela and the medical team in their thoughts and prayers,” President Zuma said. – SAnews.gov.za
