Mandela in hospital for Christmas
Former South Africa leader Nelson Mandela will spend Christmas Day in hospital, the presidency said.
Mr Mandela’s doctors confirmed the news today, the presidency said in a statement.
The anti-apartheid figure was admitted on December 8 to a hospital in Pretoria, the South African capital.
He was diagnosed with a lung infection and had a procedure to remove gallstones; officials have said Mr Mandela is improving and is responding to treatment.
South African president Jacob Zuma said the whole country is behind Mr Mandela and he urged people to keep the former president in their thoughts on Christmas Day and throughout the festive season.
Mr Zuma describes Mr Mandela, who was imprisoned under apartheid for 27 years, as an “ardent fighter”.
