Anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela's condition remained "critical but stable" on the 24th day of his hospitalisation for a recurring lung ailment, even as many South Africans eagerly awaited his 95th birthday on July 18.
"Mandela is still critical but stable in hospital in Pretoria where he was admitted on the 8th of June," President Jacob Zuma said today.
Mandela has been in a Pretoria hospital for more than three weeks receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection, his fourth hospitalisation in six months.
Mandela would turn 95 on Jul 18 and many South Africans are looking forward to celebrated his birthday.
"We remind all South Africans to begin planning for Madiba's birthday on the 18th of July. We must all be able to do something good for humanity on this day, in tribute to our former President," said President Zuma.
President Zuma thanked all South Africans for keeping the former President and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
Mandela had a long history of lung problems, dating back to the time when he was a political prisoner on Robben Island during apartheid. While in jail he contracted tuberculosis.
He is revered for leading the fight against white minority rule in the African country and then preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.
Mandela served as the country's president from 1994 to 1999. He left power after five years as president. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
He retired from public life in 2004 and has not been seen in public since the football World Cup finals in in 2010.
