Mandela is responding to treatment, says President Zuma.
South African President Jacob Zuma informed Parliament that he was pleased with the progress made by the 94-year-old former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate after the "difficult days"; Nelson Mandela's health remains unchanged and "stable, but serious".
JOHANNESBURG, 12 June (Reuters) Former South African President Nelson Mandela is "responding better to treatment" for a lung infection, South African President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday.
Zuma informed Parliament that he was pleased with the progress made by Mandela, 94, after the "difficult days".
The health of the leader who fought against apartheid remained unchanged and "stable, but serious," according to a statement made earlier by a government spokesperson to a local radio station on Wednesday.
Mandela, who has been hospitalized for five days to treat a lung infection, continues to receive medical care, according to South African presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj, in a statement to SAFM radio.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mandela was hospitalized on Saturday with a recurring lung infection. This is the fourth time Mandela has been hospitalized since December, and there is a growing sense among South Africa's 53 million people that one day they will have to say goodbye to their leader.
(Reporting by Ed Cropley and David Dolan)