Nelson Mandela making ‘steady progress’ in hospital
Nelson Mandela is making “steady progress” after being admitted to hospital on Wednesday night with a recurring lung infection, South African president Jacob Zuma says.
The office of President Jacob Zuma released a statement in which it said the former president and anti-apartheid leader was in “good spirits”, and had enjoyed a “full breakfast”.
He is as strong physically as he has been in character and leadership over so many decades – Barack Obama
“The doctors report that he is making steady progress. He remains under treatment and observation in hospital,” the statement said.
“We would like to repeat our appeal for the media and the public to respect the privacy of Madiba and his family.”
It is 94-year-old Mandela’s third trip to a hospital since December, when he spent three weeks in a hospital in Pretoria. Earlier this month, he was hospitalized overnight for what authorities said was a successful, scheduled medical test.
‘A hero to all of us’
US President Barack Obama sent his best wishes to the “hero”.
Mr Obama said: “He is a hero, I think, to all of us. We will be keeping him in our thoughts and prayers and his entire family.
“He is as strong physically as he has been in character and leadership over so many decades, and hopefully he will come out of this latest challenge.”