Johannesburg – Former president Nelson Mandela's condition remained as it was the previous day, the presidency said on Wednesday.
"There were no new updates on Mandela's condition today which can only mean that he remained as he was on Tuesday," said presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj.
President Jacob Zuma said in a statement that Mandela was "looking much better" and was in high spirits on Tuesday.
Zuma had visited the former statesman, joining Mandela's wife, Graca Machel and other family members, in presenting Christmas wishes to Mandela at his hospital bedside in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Mandela spent Christmas Day in hospital, having been flown to Pretoria from his Eastern Cape home at Qunu on December 8.
He was diagnosed with a lung infection and also underwent gallstone surgery.
His current stay in hospital is his longest since he was freed from an apartheid prison over two decades ago. – Sapa