Mandela's friend says he was 'totally conscious' on recent visit
One of Nelson Mandela's close friends said that the former South African president was "totally conscious" when he visited him recently in hospital.
Denis Goldberg is a former political prisoner who was sentenced to life at the same time as Mandela.
Yesterday, doctors were forced to deny reports that Mandela is in a 'permanent vegetative state'.
Mr Goldberg said that Mr Mandela responded to voices when he saw him on Monday.
"I was able to speak to him, he was dozing, he opened his eyes, he looked at me, turned his head to me," he said.
"I chatted on for some time, maybe five, six, seven, eight minutes and he seemed to be responding to what I was saying."
