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Nelson Mandela breathing without difficulty - presidency Nelson Mandela breathing without difficulty - presidency
(35 minutes later)
Nelson Mandela is breathing without difficulty, the South African presidency has said, as he spends a third day in hospital for a lung infection. Nelson Mandela is breathing without difficulty, South Africa's presidency has said, as he spends a third day in hospital with a lung infection.
Mr Mandela, 94, was comfortable and was continuing to respond to treatment, the statement said. Mr Mandela, 94, was comfortable and was continuing to respond to treatment, the statement from South African President Jacob Zuma's office said.
It said fluid had been drained from Mr Mandela's lungs - a pleural effusion - to enable him to breathe more easily.
There are no details yet on how long he will remain in hospital.There are no details yet on how long he will remain in hospital.
The office of South African President Jacob Zuma had said on Friday that Mr Mandela was "in good spirits".
After Mr Mandela was admitted to hospital late on Wednesday, President Zuma said people "must not panic".After Mr Mandela was admitted to hospital late on Wednesday, President Zuma said people "must not panic".
The former president first contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while detained on windswept Robben Island.The former president first contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while detained on windswept Robben Island.
His lungs are said to have been damaged while working in a prison quarry. This latest spell in hospital is his fourth in just over two years.His lungs are said to have been damaged while working in a prison quarry. This latest spell in hospital is his fourth in just over two years.
Mr Mandela served as South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999 and is regarded by many as the father of the nation for leading the struggle against apartheid.Mr Mandela served as South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999 and is regarded by many as the father of the nation for leading the struggle against apartheid.
'Thoughts and prayers''Thoughts and prayers'
On Friday, Mr Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, told public broadcaster SABC on Friday that he was "doing well".On Friday, Mr Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, told public broadcaster SABC on Friday that he was "doing well".
"He's responding very well to treatment," said Ms Madikizela-Mandela at a church service in Soweto."He's responding very well to treatment," said Ms Madikizela-Mandela at a church service in Soweto.
The hospital Mr Mandela is attending has not been disclosed.The hospital Mr Mandela is attending has not been disclosed.
Last December Mr Mandela was treated for a lung infection and gallstones - his longest period in hospital since leaving prison in 1990. In February, he was treated for a stomach condition.Last December Mr Mandela was treated for a lung infection and gallstones - his longest period in hospital since leaving prison in 1990. In February, he was treated for a stomach condition.
When asked whether people should prepare for the inevitable, Mr Zuma said: "In Zulu, when someone passes away who is very old, people say he or she has gone home. I think those are some of the things we should be thinking about."When asked whether people should prepare for the inevitable, Mr Zuma said: "In Zulu, when someone passes away who is very old, people say he or she has gone home. I think those are some of the things we should be thinking about."
But he stressed that Mr Mandela had been able to handle the situation "very well" so far.But he stressed that Mr Mandela had been able to handle the situation "very well" so far.
BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding says South Africans have been praying for the recovery of Mr Mandela, who remains a moral beacon in the country despite withdrawing from public life almost a decade ago.BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding says South Africans have been praying for the recovery of Mr Mandela, who remains a moral beacon in the country despite withdrawing from public life almost a decade ago.
Despite his long imprisonment, Mr Mandela forgave his former enemies and as president urged South Africans of all races to work together and seek reconciliation.Despite his long imprisonment, Mr Mandela forgave his former enemies and as president urged South Africans of all races to work together and seek reconciliation.
In 1993 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.In 1993 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
His main home is in Qunu, a small rural village in Eastern Cape province, where he says he spent the happiest days of his childhood.His main home is in Qunu, a small rural village in Eastern Cape province, where he says he spent the happiest days of his childhood.
However, doctors said in December he should remain at his home in the Johannesburg neighbourhood of Houghton to be close to medical facilities.However, doctors said in December he should remain at his home in the Johannesburg neighbourhood of Houghton to be close to medical facilities.