Former South African president Nelson Mandela’s health has been deteriorating the past few days, but his condition improved overnight. According to the South African government, he is now in “stable” but still critical condition. President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela in the hospital Thursday morning, stating Mandela “is much better today than he was when I saw him last night.”
Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe, has said that Mandela is “still there” and responding to touch.
The anti-apartheid hero has been hospitalized in Pretoria since June 8 with a lung infection and is reportedly on life support. It is his fourth hospitalization in six months.
South Africans have been leaving messages of love and support for Mandela outside the hospital, at his home, and on social media. The first South African black president is admired by many for his role in fighting apartheid and serving 27 years in prison, which helped bring equality to South Africa.
