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| Nelson Mandela still critical as Zuma cancels trip | Nelson Mandela still critical as Zuma cancels trip |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| South African President Jacob Zuma has cancelled a trip to Mozambique on Thursday after visiting former leader Nelson Mandela, 94, who remains critically ill in a Pretoria hospital. | |
| Mr Mandela, South Africa's first black president, has been in hospital since 8 June with a recurring lung infection. | |
| Mr Zuma was briefed by doctors who were doing everything possible to ensure Mr Mandela's well-being, a statement said. | |
| On Tuesday, a cleric prayed for Mr Mandela's "peaceful end". | |
| Also visiting on Tuesday was Mr Mandela's daughter Zindzi, who said her father had "opened his eyes and smiled". | |
| Gratitude | |
| Mr Zuma was due to attend a regional summit in the Mozambican capital Maputo on Thursday, but decided to cancel his trip. | |
| The statement from his office said he "reiterated his gratitude on behalf of government, to all South Africans who continue to support the Madiba family". | |
| Mr Mandela, known by his clan name Madiba, is revered for leading the fight against white minority rule in South Africa and then preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years. | |
| He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was elected president the following year. He left office in 1999 after a single term. | |
| Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Zuma said Mr Mandela's 95th birthday on 18 July would be celebrated with "vigour as it is a life spent in dedication to humanity". | |
| Mr Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has rarely been seen at official events since. | |
| He has a long history of lung problems, and was diagnosed with tuberculosis in the 1980s while he was a prisoner on Robben Island. | |
| After his release, Mr Mandela said that the tuberculosis was probably caused by dampness in his prison cell. |