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Mandela doing well in hospital

March 30, 2013

Former South African President Nelson Mandela is breathing "without difficulty," following a procedure to treat his pneumonia. Despite showing signs of recovery, there has been no mention of his leaving the hospital.

https://p.dw.com/p/1879z
In this June 17, 2010 file photo, former South African President, Nelson Mandela leaves the chapel after attending the funeral of his great-granddaughter Zenani Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mandela was released Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012 from the hospital after being treated for a lung infection and having gallstones removed, a government spokesman said. (AP Photo/Siphiwe Sibeko, Pool, File)
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo

The 94-year old anti-apartheid leader was still suffering from a recent case of pneumonia, but thanks to three days in the hospital, his health was improving, South Africa's presidency said in a statement on Saturday.

Doctors had drained fluid from Mandela's chest, which "resulted in him now being able to breathe without difficulty," President Jacob Zuma's office said in the statement.

"He continues to respond to treatment and is comfortable."

The presidency has not released the name or location of the hospital.

Mandela's hospital stay has garnered wide spread attention since he was admitted into care shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

President Jacob Zuma has asked his fellow countrymen to pray for the beloved leader.

"We have full confidence in the medical team and know that they will do everything possible to ensure recovery," a statement released by President Zuma's office said on Friday.

In December, Mandela spent nearly three weeks in the hospital with a lung infection and for surgery to remove gallstones. He was admitted briefly earlier this month for a scheduled check up.

His last hospital stay late last year was the long since his release from prison in 1990 after serving 27 years for conspiring to overthrow the white-minority apartheid government.

Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994, a year after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 2004, he retired from public life and currently lives in Qunu, a village in Eastern Cape province.

kms/rc (AFP, Reuters)