Mandela's grandson says he is 'recovering very well and looks good'
Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, said his grandfather is showing signs of improvement. Mandela is recovering from a lung infection.
Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, sings at the funeral of an extended family member Florence Mandela in Qunu, Saturday.
Rogan Ward/Reuters
Qunu, South Africa
Former South African president and anti-apartheid hero聽聽is recovering well from a lung infection which has kept him in a serious condition in hospital for a week, his grandson said on Saturday.
The comment by聽聽was the latest indication that the health of his 94-year-old grandfather,聽's first black president, was showing signs of improvement.聽Mandela聽has been receiving visits from family members after he was rushed to hospital a week ago with a recurrence of lung problems.
"Madiba is recovering very well and looks good," 惭补苍诲濒补听Mandela聽said in Qunu, a village in the聽聽province where聽Mandela聽was born and spent his early years.
Speaking in Xhosa at a funeral of another relative, Mandla used the clan name 'Madiba' by which聽Mandela聽is popularly known.
"I thank the nation and the world for the prayers for Madiba, and the doctors and the office of the ANC for keeping the family updated," he said.
聽said on Thursday that聽Mandela聽was continuing to recover but his condition remained serious.
Mandela's hospitalisation is his fourth since December and has reinforced growing awareness among聽's 53 million people that they will one day have to say goodbye to the father of the "Rainbow Nation" created from the ashes of apartheid.
Mandela聽has a history of lung problems dating back to his time at the windswept Robben Island prison camp near. He was released in 1990 after 27 years behind bars and went on to serve as president from 1994 to 1999.
Reporting by Yvonne Bell; Writing by Olivia Kumwenda