Former South African President Nelson Mandela remains hospitalized in “serious but stable” as he receives treatment for a lingering lung infection, South African government officials confirmed early Saturday.
Concern and gestures of goodwill continue to trickle for the 94-year-old Mandela, who is largely credited with ending white racist rule in that region. In recent months, Mandela has been treated several times for the same condition, last being discharged from the hospital on April 6 after doctors drained fluid from his lungs and treated him for pneumonia.
Mandela, who spent more than 27-years in prison under apartheid, has suffered from tuberculosis since contracting the illness while imprisoned.
“During the past few days, former President Nelson Mandela has had a recurrence of lung infection,” said a statement from the office of current President Jacob Zuma. “This morning at about 1.30a.m., his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital.
Earlier in the day, Mandela’s wife, humanitarian activist Graca Machel, canceled a scheduled appearance at an international forum on hunger and nutrition in nearby London, according to the Associated Press.
“We need to hold our thoughts and keep him in our minds,” government spokesperson Mac Maharaj told AP. “He is a fighter, he has recovered many times from very serious conditions and he will be with us. Let’s pray for him and help him to get better.”
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