South African leaders say anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela continues to recover after being hospitalized for a recurring lung infection.President Jacob Zuma said Thursday the 94-year-old Mandela is doing "very well," telling the BBC that South Africans "must not panic."
An earlier statement by the presidency said the former South African president is "responding positively" to treatment. It said he remains under treatment and observation.
Mandela was taken to an unidentified hospital late Wednesday. The Nobel laureate was hospitalized for three weeks in December with another lung infection and gallstones.
U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday he is "deeply concerned" about the health of Mr. Mandela, who he called an inspiration and a hero.
"When you think of a single individual that embodies the kind of leadership qualities that I think we all aspire to, the first name that comes up is Nelson Mandela," said Obama.
Mandela spent nearly three decades in prison for opposing apartheid in South Africa and became a symbol of the nation's peaceful transition to a democratic government after decades of suppression by the white minority. He became South Africa's first black president in 1994.
An earlier statement by the presidency said the former South African president is "responding positively" to treatment. It said he remains under treatment and observation.
Mandela was taken to an unidentified hospital late Wednesday. The Nobel laureate was hospitalized for three weeks in December with another lung infection and gallstones.
U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday he is "deeply concerned" about the health of Mr. Mandela, who he called an inspiration and a hero.
"When you think of a single individual that embodies the kind of leadership qualities that I think we all aspire to, the first name that comes up is Nelson Mandela," said Obama.
Mandela spent nearly three decades in prison for opposing apartheid in South Africa and became a symbol of the nation's peaceful transition to a democratic government after decades of suppression by the white minority. He became South Africa's first black president in 1994.
-
Portraits of Nelson Mandela depicted in various stages of his life in Soweto, South Africa, seen March 28, 2013.
- Painted stones with well-wishes for Nelson Mandela in the garden outside his house in Houghton, Johannesburg, March 28, 2013.
- Nelson Mandela and his then wife, Winnie, salute well-wishers as he leaves Victor Verster prison on February 11, 1990.
- This undated photograph shows Nelson Mandela and his former wife, Winnie.
- South African State President Frederik Willem de Klerk, left, and Deputy President of the African National Congress Nelson Mandela, right, prior to talks between the ANC and the South African government, Cape Town, May 2, 1990.
- ANC leader and symbol of resistance to apartheid, Nelson Mandela, is seen as he gives the black power salute to the 120,000 ANC supporters in Soweto's Soccer City stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 13, 1990.
- Nelson Mandela attends a rally in this 1993 photo.
- President Nelson Mandela and Britain's Prince Charles shake hands alongside members of the Spice Girls' Emma (L), and Gerri (R) at Mr. Mandela's residence November 1, 1997.
- The former South African president, left, and his wife, Graca Machel, wave to the audience during a Live 8 concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 2, 2005.
- Former South African president Nelson Mandela, center, followed by his grandson Mandla Mandela, rear right, arrives at the ceremony in Mvezo, South Africa, April 16, 2007.
- Mandela poses for a photograph after receiving a torch to celebrate the African National Congress' centenary in his home village, Qunu, in rural eastern South Africa, May 30, 2012.
- School children read the history of former South African president Nelson Mandela written on a chalkboard, ahead of the opening of a container library by the Bill Clinton foundation in celebration of Mandela day, at a school in Qunu, July 17, 2012.
- Children sing happy birthday in honor of former South African president Nelson Mandela during celebrations for Mandela's birthday in Mvezo, South Africa, July 18, 2012.
