This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23078373

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Nelson Mandela in a 'critical but stable' condition Nelson Mandela in a 'critical but stable' condition
(35 minutes later)
Former South African leader Nelson Mandela is in a stable condition, his granddaughter says, though he remains critical.Former South African leader Nelson Mandela is in a stable condition, his granddaughter says, though he remains critical.
Ndileka Mandela said the 94-year-old's family were taking comfort from messages of support from the public.Ndileka Mandela said the 94-year-old's family were taking comfort from messages of support from the public.
Meanwhile his daughter Makaziwe said he was "still there" and responding to touch.Meanwhile his daughter Makaziwe said he was "still there" and responding to touch.
South Africa's first black president has been in hospital in Pretoria since 8 June with a lung infection.South Africa's first black president has been in hospital in Pretoria since 8 June with a lung infection.
His health has worsened in recent days, prompting current President Jacob Zuma to cancel a foreign visit. He has now arrived back at the hospital.His health has worsened in recent days, prompting current President Jacob Zuma to cancel a foreign visit. He has now arrived back at the hospital.
Emotional crowds continue to gather outside. Emotional crowds have gathered outside, adding messages of support for Mr Mandela, known by his clan name Madiba.
They have been adding messages of support for Mr Mandela, known by his clan name Madiba.
Children released 94 balloons into the air in his honour.Children released 94 balloons into the air in his honour.
Correspondents say South Africans now seem resigned to the prospect of his death.Correspondents say South Africans now seem resigned to the prospect of his death.
"We don't like seeing Mandela going through so much pain, he has had a tough time in his life and he's gone through a lot of struggle. I think this struggle should get over sooner," Khulile Mlondleni told Reuters news agency."We don't like seeing Mandela going through so much pain, he has had a tough time in his life and he's gone through a lot of struggle. I think this struggle should get over sooner," Khulile Mlondleni told Reuters news agency.
"We are all going to feel bad when he passes [away], but at the same time we will be celebrating his life. He has done so many great things for this country," said 25-year-old John Ndlovu, quoted by the agency."We are all going to feel bad when he passes [away], but at the same time we will be celebrating his life. He has done so many great things for this country," said 25-year-old John Ndlovu, quoted by the agency.
US President Barack Obama, who is in Senegal, described Mr Mandela as "a hero for the world".
"His legacy will linger on through the ages," he said.
Speculation warningSpeculation warning
After visiting her grandfather in hospital, Mdileka Mandela said it was an anxious time for the family.After visiting her grandfather in hospital, Mdileka Mandela said it was an anxious time for the family.
"He's stable and we'd like to say that we thank everybody for giving their support and praying with us... we are anxious as you know that he is critical but he's in a stable condition right now," she said."He's stable and we'd like to say that we thank everybody for giving their support and praying with us... we are anxious as you know that he is critical but he's in a stable condition right now," she said.
"It's been hard, especially because of all of this - that we have to do everything in the public eye.""It's been hard, especially because of all of this - that we have to do everything in the public eye."
Later Mr Mandela's daughter Makaziwe said that while the situation was serious he was still responsive.Later Mr Mandela's daughter Makaziwe said that while the situation was serious he was still responsive.
"I won't lie, it doesn't look good. But as I say, if we speak to him, he responds and tries to open his eyes. He's still there. He might be waning off, but he's still there," she told public broadcaster SABC. "He doesn't look good, I'm not going to lie. But as I say, if we speak to him, he responds and tries to open his eyes. He's still there. He might be waning off, but he's still there," she told public broadcaster SABC.
She was also highly critical of the behaviour of the international media, whom she described as "vultures". She was also highly critical of the behaviour of the international media.
"There is a racist element with many of the international media where they cross boundaries - truly vultures waiting for when the lion has devoured the buffalo, it has gone overboard," Ms Mandela said.
Mr Zuma's spokesman Mac Maharaj said on Wednesday evening that Mr Mandela's condition had deteriorated over the weekend.Mr Zuma's spokesman Mac Maharaj said on Wednesday evening that Mr Mandela's condition had deteriorated over the weekend.
After consultations with doctors, Mr Zuma said he was cancelling his trip to a regional summit in the Mozambican capital Maputo.After consultations with doctors, Mr Zuma said he was cancelling his trip to a regional summit in the Mozambican capital Maputo.
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".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".
The decision will only reinforce the impression that Mr Mandela's life is slipping away, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports from Johannesburg.The decision will only reinforce the impression that Mr Mandela's life is slipping away, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports from Johannesburg.
But later Mr Zuma's office warned against speculation about Mr Mandela's health, saying that announcements about his condition would come from the president himself or Mr Maharaj.But later Mr Zuma's office warned against speculation about Mr Mandela's health, saying that announcements about his condition would come from the president himself or Mr Maharaj.
Mr Maharaj criticised some media outlets for broadcasting unverified information, as rumours spread on social media sites.Mr Maharaj criticised some media outlets for broadcasting unverified information, as rumours spread on social media sites.
Meanwhile media reports say the bodies of three of Mr Mandela's children are to be moved from his birthplace to his home in Qunu, where he himself has said he wants to be buried.Meanwhile media reports say the bodies of three of Mr Mandela's children are to be moved from his birthplace to his home in Qunu, where he himself has said he wants to be buried.
They include his son Makgatho, who died of an Aids-related illness in 2005.They include his son Makgatho, who died of an Aids-related illness in 2005.
Mr Mandela is revered for leading the fight against white minority rule in South Africa and then preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.Mr Mandela 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.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.
Mr Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has rarely been seen at official events since.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, off Cape Town.He has a long history of lung problems, and was diagnosed with tuberculosis in the 1980s while he was a prisoner on Robben Island, off Cape Town.
After his release, Mr Mandela said that the tuberculosis was probably caused by dampness in his prison cell.After his release, Mr Mandela said that the tuberculosis was probably caused by dampness in his prison cell.