Post date: Jun 21, 2013 5:12:26 PM
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki says Mandela's health is improving as the former South African President spends a 14th day in hospital.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 21, 2013) (REUTERS) - Former South African President Thabo Mbeki said on Thursday (June 20) that Nelson Mandela's health was improving.
Speaking in an interview at Power FM radio station in Johannesburg, Mbeki said he was in constant contact with Mandela's family and doctors."I maintain very close contact with the family and the doctors about Nelson Mandela's condition, and I think we, we need to understand what has been said by the government, which is Nelson Mandela is in fact improving in terms of his health. I don't think anybody should kind of entertain some wrong notion that Nelson Mandela is about to die tomorrow. He's not going to. So I think we really need to feel comforted that we still have him with us now and will have him with us in future," he said at radio station's studio.
Mandela, who spent a 14th day in hospital for a lung condition, was visited by his family on Friday (June 21).
The 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader, who became South Africa's first black president in 1994, was rushed to hospital early on June 8 with a recurring respiratory infection.
His daughter Zenani Mandela and granddaughter Zaziwe were seen arriving at theMediclinic Heart Hospital on Friday, followed by former wife Winnie Mandela.
He has remained in a "serious but stable" condition, according to the government, but visiting family members have spoken of his improving condition in recent days.
Mandela's current wife, Graca Machel, on Monday thanked people for their messages of support.
"So much love and generosity from South Africans, Africans across the continent, and thousands more from across the world, have come our way to lighten the burden of anxiety," she said in a statement.