‘Madiba treated for lung infection

IN GOOD CARE': A mural depicting Nelson Mandela in Alexandra, Johannesburg, honours his 94th birthday celebration on July 18 this year. Mandela is suffering from a recurring lung infection. Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Madiba is 'receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to treatment'

IN GOOD CARE': A mural depicting Nelson Mandela in Alexandra, Johannesburg, honours his 94th birthday celebration on July 18 this year. Mandela is suffering from a recurring lung infection. Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Madiba is 'receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to treatment'

Published Dec 12, 2012

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JOHANNESBURG: Former president Nelson Mandela is suffering from a lung infection, the Presidency said yesterday.

“Doctors have concluded the tests, and these have revealed a recurrence of a previous lung infection, for which Madiba is receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to the treatment,” the Presidency said.

“President [Jacob] Zuma thanks the public for continuous support to former president Mandela and his family at this time.”

Mandela’s hospital stay entered its fourth day yesterday.

Journalists continued camping outside 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria yesterday morning.

Soldiers were stopping and searching cars at the main entrance.

News crews, including an outside broadcast vehicle, were turned back at the entrance.

On Monday, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said Mandela was “doing very, very well” while undergoing unspecified medical tests.

On Monday the Presidency said Mandela was fine and was due for further tests.

Zuma visited Mandela on Sunday morning and found the former leader “comfortable and in good care”, presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

Mandela’s hospital stay is being watched by media around the world including the LA Times, the Telegraph and Hindustan Times.

The Washington Post included a CBS newsclip in which their reporter described him as having been “physically robust” but “mentally detached” at his 94th birthday celebration.

The Brisbane Times posted footage of him beaming with fellow ANC officials four years ago.

In February, Mandela spent a night in a hospital for a minor diagnostic surgery to determine the cause of an abdominal complaint.

In January 2011 Mandela was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital for what officials initially described as tests, but what turned out to be an acute respiratory infection– Sapa

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