South African President Jacob Zuma says anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela remains in serious condition, but that his doctors feel he has shown "sustained" improvement in the last two days.
Mr. Zuma said Sunday the 94-year-old former South African president continues to engage with his family.
President Zuma made his remarks in the town of Newcastle at a rally to commemorate the 1976 Soweto student uprising during white minority rule in South Africa. He asked the audience to join him in wishing Mr. Mandela a happy Father's Day.
Mr. Mandela has been in a Pretoria hospital for nine days recovering from a lung infection.
This is the fourth time he has been hospitalized for a lung infection since December.
Mr. Mandela has a history of lung problems dating back to the tuberculosis he contracted during his 27-year imprisonment under South Africa's apartheid system. He was released in 1990 and four years later was elected president in the country's first democratic polls.
###
Mr. Zuma said Sunday the 94-year-old former South African president continues to engage with his family.
President Zuma made his remarks in the town of Newcastle at a rally to commemorate the 1976 Soweto student uprising during white minority rule in South Africa. He asked the audience to join him in wishing Mr. Mandela a happy Father's Day.
Mr. Mandela has been in a Pretoria hospital for nine days recovering from a lung infection.
This is the fourth time he has been hospitalized for a lung infection since December.
Mr. Mandela has a history of lung problems dating back to the tuberculosis he contracted during his 27-year imprisonment under South Africa's apartheid system. He was released in 1990 and four years later was elected president in the country's first democratic polls.
###