Johannesburg - The ANC announced countrywide prayer meetings for former president Nelson Mandela on Thursday, after the presidency said his condition had improved.
“While we have all been praying in our homes, private places and churches, the African National Congress will now be rolling out prayer sessions where all South Africans can come together, hold hands and pray for Madiba, his family and medical team,” spokesman Jackson Mthembu said.
Prayer sessions would be held at the Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto at 2pm; and at Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, also Soweto, where Mandela lived previously, at 5pm.
In Pretoria, a prayer meeting would be held on the corner of Park and Wessels streets, next to the Art Museum, at 5pm.
In Kagiso, outside Krugersdorp, a prayer service was to be held at the Police Station Hall, next to Kagiso Mall, from 9am to 1pm.
All ANC provincial offices would hold interfaith prayer sessions for Mandela for an hour, between 6pm and 7pm daily. Anyone could attend.
These events did not seek to replace any other gatherings being organised by the party's branches, or prayer meetings arranged in homes and churches.
“The African National Congress joins President (Jacob) Zuma in encouraging South Africans and the people of the globe to continue to keep president Mandela and his family in their thoughts and prayers during this time,” said Mthembu.
The party expressed its “heartfelt gratitude” to everyone who had been praying for his recovery.
“It is a matter of public record that comrade Madiba remains in a critical, but now stable condition in hospital,” said Mthembu.
Earlier, the presidency said in a statement that Mandela's condition had improved. Although he was still critical, he was now stable.
Mthembu said the ANC was disturbed by “consistent rumours” being circulated about his health.
The presidency was the authority on information on his health.
“We call upon all South Africans to desist from such unhelpful and hurtful rumours about president Mandela.
“These statements demonstrate insensitivity by those who continue to repeat them, not only to Madiba and his family, but all the people of South Africa and the world who love Madiba dearly.” - Sapa