South Africa: Nelson Mandela improving but still critical

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Former South African President Nelson Mandela reacts at the Mandela foundation, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday June 2, 2009, during a meeting with a group of American and South African students as part of a series of activities leading to Mandela Day on July 18th. (AP Photo/Pool-Theana Calitz-Bilt, Pool) (AP Photo)

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JOHANNESBURG -- The office of the South African president says Nelson Mandela remains in critical condition although his health is gradually improving.

In a statement Sunday, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela is making a "slow but steady improvement."

Zuma thanked South Africans for praying for the 95-year-old former president, who has been hospitalized since June 8 because of a lung infection.

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The government has released few details on Mandela's illness, citing privacy issues. Legal documents filed by the family of the anti-apartheid leader had said he was on life support, though some family members have in recent weeks given upbeat assessments of his health. A number of relatives have talked of Mandela returning soon to his home in Johannesburg but others have not spoken about him leaving the hospital.

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