THE CURRENT PRESIDENT of South Africa has said that Nelson Mandela’s condition improved overnight.

Jacob Zuma visited his 94-year-old predecessor earlier today and was informed by the medical team that he “remains critical but is now stable”.

In the latest update published by the presidency’s office, Zuma said: “I cancelled my visit to Mozambique today so that I could see him and confer with the doctors.

He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night. The medical team continues to do a sterling job.

“We must pray for Tata’s health and wish him well. We must also continue with our work and daily activities while Madiba remains hospitalised,” he told a concerned public.

The office said the President is disturbed by the “rumours that are being spread about the former leader’s health and appealed for “respect for the privacy and dignity of the former President”.

Yesterday, reports circulated that Madiba was on life support.

Mandela has been in hospital since 8 June when he was admitted over a recurring lung infection. The nation has been told to expect the worse and to “let go” of the man credited with ending decades of race struggles and inequality, creating the so-called rainbow nation.

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