Pretoria – After spending more than a month in a critical condition in hospital, former President Nelson Mandela is now responding to treatment, the Presidency says.
President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela on Wednesday night and found him still critical but stable, and was informed by doctors that he was responding to treatment.
“We are encouraged that Madiba is responding to treatment and urge the public to continue providing support and showering him with love, which gives him and the family strength,” said Zuma.
Well-wishers continued to visit the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria where Mandela has been kept since suffering a recurring lung infection early in June.
Meanwhile, South Africans and the world are gearing up for the Nelson Mandela International Day to be celebrated on 18 July.
Government has called on people to make Madiba’s 95th birthday special, in light of his stay in hospital. On the day, Home Affairs officials will also be unveiling the country’s new Smart ID Cards. – SAnews.gov.za