Post date: Jul 13, 2013 6:25:17 PM
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki says he expects Nelson Mandela to make a full recovery.
PRETORIA EAST, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 13, 2013) (SABC) - Former South African President Thabo Mbeki said in Pretoria on Saturday (July 13) he was confident Nelson Mandela would make it out of hospital in Pretoriawhere he is receiving treatment for a lung infection.
Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, said on Friday that she was now less anxious than before and that he was responding to treatment.Mbeki said he was sure the doctors would, at some point, discharge him.
"I know the doctors who are working with him are very good people, very good doctors and I am quite certain, I am quite certain that, one of these days, Madiba will go back home. What the government has been saying is that his condition is critical but stable is correct. But I think we need to add to that that indeed his health is improving. The medical care that he is receiving is in fact excellent and as I say I am quite certain that one of these days the doctors will agree that he can go and stay at home rather than in hospital. Certainly that is our hope and our wish but I think that is what will happen," said Mbeki.
Former wife Winnie Mandela, giving a lecture in Johannesburg on Friday (July 12) night, said she was grateful for people's prayers.
"Prayers are important, always, but they are very special right now because of the situation which is not of our making, it is of God's making. We are very grateful that the country is praying with us and the whole world is praying with us. We need that spiritual uplifment (sic) and we need the support of everyone," Winnie said.
Family members as well as well wishers have been visiting the Mediclinic Heart hospital in Pretoria where Mandela is being treated.
He was spending a 36th night there after being admitted with a recurring lung infection.