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Mandela making 'steady progress' in S Africa hospital | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Nelson Mandela is making "steady progress" after spending a second day in hospital for treatment of a lung infection, the office of South African President Jacob Zuma says. | |
Mr Mandela is "in good spirits", the presidency also said. | |
The 94-year-old was admitted to hospital late on Wednesday. | |
He first contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while detained on the windswept Robben Island where he served 18 of his 27 years in prison for sabotage. | |
His lungs are said to have been damaged while worked in a prison quarry. This latest spell in hospital is his fourth in just over two years. | |
US President Barack Obama said he was "deeply concerned with Nelson Mandela's health", adding that "we will be keeping him in our thoughts and prayers". | US President Barack Obama said he was "deeply concerned with Nelson Mandela's health", adding that "we will be keeping him in our thoughts and prayers". |
Mr Mandela served as South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999 and is regarded by many as the father of the nation. | |
'Madiba' | 'Madiba' |
Last December he was treated for a lung infection and gallstones - his longest period in hospital since leaving prison in 1990. In February, he was treated for a stomach condition. | Last December he was treated for a lung infection and gallstones - his longest period in hospital since leaving prison in 1990. In February, he was treated for a stomach condition. |
The presidency has not identified the hospital in which Mr Mandela is being treated. | The presidency has not identified the hospital in which Mr Mandela is being treated. |
The former president is often fondly referred to by his clan name, Madiba. | The former president is often fondly referred to by his clan name, Madiba. |
Earlier, when asked if people should prepare for the inevitable, Mr Zuma said: "In Zulu, when someone passes away who is very old, people say he or she has gone home. I think those are some of the things we should be thinking about." | |
But he stressed that Mr Mandela had been able to handle the situation "very well" so far. | But he stressed that Mr Mandela had been able to handle the situation "very well" so far. |
"Very few outstanding personalities in the world live to his level," he said. | "Very few outstanding personalities in the world live to his level," he said. |
Mr Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has been rarely seen in public since. | Mr Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has been rarely seen in public since. |
Despite his long imprisonment, Mr Mandela forgave his former enemies and as president urged South Africans of all races to work together and seek reconciliation. | Despite his long imprisonment, Mr Mandela forgave his former enemies and as president urged South Africans of all races to work together and seek reconciliation. |
In 1993 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. | In 1993 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. |
His main home is in Qunu, a small rural village in Eastern Cape province, where he says he spent the happiest days of his childhood. | His main home is in Qunu, a small rural village in Eastern Cape province, where he says he spent the happiest days of his childhood. |
However, doctors said in December he should remain at his home in the Johannesburg neighbourhood of Houghton to be close to medical facilities. | However, doctors said in December he should remain at his home in the Johannesburg neighbourhood of Houghton to be close to medical facilities. |