Mandela is ‘responding to treatment’

JOHANNESBURG: Nelson Mandela is responding better to treatment, South African President Jacob Zuma said yesterday as the frail anti-apartheid hero spent a fifth day in hospital.
Mandela’s family said they were “deeply touched” by the outpouring of support since the 94-year-old was admitted to a private clinic in Pretoria on Saturday with a recurring lung infection.
“I am happy to report that Madiba is responding better to treatment from this morning,” Zuma told Parliament, using the Mandela’s clan name.
“We are very happy with the progress that he is now making, following a difficult last few days.”
His announcement was greeted with loud cheers from lawmakers, who, like millions of South Africans, have been on edge over Mandela’s latest health scare.
Until now, the government had described his condition as “serious but stable.”
Mandela’s latest illness has led to a growing acceptance that the Nobel peace laureate may be nearing the end of his life, but Zuma’s announcement was greeted with relief in his home village of Qunu.
Members of his family, no strangers to internal feuding, have come together to be by his bedside in the Pretoria hospital.
“Since Madiba was admitted to hospital, the family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of prayers and the overwhelming messages of goodwill from all South Africans and the international community,” said his grandson and clan leader Mandla Mandela.
Zuma paid tribute to Mandela, who was sentenced to life in prison for sabotage 49 years ago, along with seven other anti-apartheid fighters.
“Because of their sacrifices and the foundation that was laid for a free and democratic South Africa, our country is a much better place to live in now than it was before 1994, even though we still have so much work to do,” he said.
One of Mandela’s co-accused, Andrew Mlangeni, told AFP of Mandela’s resolve as they were sentenced.
“On that day Mandela accepted his fate and made it clear that he was prepared to die.”
Mandela instead spent 27 years in prison during white racist rule, walking free in 1990 before becoming South Africa’s first black president four years later.
A stream of family members have visited Mandela at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital, where only close relatives are being allowed access.
His current wife Graca Machel has been at his bedside almost constantly since calling off a trip to London last week to be with her ailing husband.
His eldest daughter Zenani, who is South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina, was seen entering the heavily guarded clinic yesterday.