Nelson Mandela’s health remains critical as he spent his 78th straight day in the hospital. The presidency gave an update on the former South African leader’s health on Saturday in the first comments it has made in almost two weeks.
Mandela entered the hospital in Pretoria on June 8 and was the subject of at least one death rumor, though the presidency assures the former leader is very much alive.
President Jacob Zuma’s office announced, according to AFP , that Mandela’s condition is at times unstable. However, the anti-apartheid icon “has demonstrated great resilience and his condition tends to stabilize as a result of medical interventions.”
A spokesman for the presidency did not give additional details about Mandela’s condition and there is no word on if the former leader will heal from his recurring lung infection this time.
The spokesman, Mac Maharaj, commented, “There are times when he has those down moments, he responds to treatment, but there are times when it’s not stable.”
The Huffington Post adds that Nelson Mandela’s doctors are still working for a “turnaround” to help the former South African leader. Zuma urged in his update for South Africans to continue praying for Mandela.
The anti-apartheid icon was the first black president of South Africa. His recurring lung infection stems from time spent as a political prisoner. Mandela contracted tuberculosis and has had lung issues since. But after he was released from prison, Mandela negotiated an end to white racist rule in the country and became president in 1994.
President Zuma canceled a trip in June after Mandela’s health became critical. However, his office announced Zuma will travel to Malaysia for an official visit as planned. He is expected to accept a peace award on behalf of Nelson Mandela.
The last update on Nelson Mandela’s health stated that the former president remained critical, but was making “a slow but steady improvement.” There is no word on whether doctors still expect Mandela to improve.
