Mandela to spend Christmas in hospital
2012-12-24 14:07
Johannesburg - Former president Nelson Mandela looks set to
spend Christmas Eve in hospital as the presidency said no new updates were
available on his condition on Monday morning.
Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said a previous
statement about Mandela's health that was issued on the weekend still stood.
The report said that Mandela continued to respond to
treatment as his stay in a Pretoria hospital extended into its third week.
Mandela, 94, was originally flown to a hospital in Pretoria
from his Eastern Cape home at Qunu on 8 December. He was diagnosed with a lung
infection and also underwent gallstone surgery.
His current stay in hospital is his longest since he was
freed over two decades ago.
Mandela has a history of lung problems having suffered from
tuberculosis towards the end of the 27-years he spent in prison.
On Saturday, President Jacob Zuma asked South Africans to
pray for the global icon after paying him a visit.
"We urge South Africans to continue praying for our
beloved Madiba during this period. Our hearts are with the whole family and
relatives."
- SAPA
