News

Actions

Nelson Mandela in Critical Condition

Posted at 2:58 PM, Jun 24, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-24 14:59:16-04

Nelson_Mandela_1998(CNN) — Former South African PresidentNelson Mandela‘s family visited him Monday as he lay in a hospital bed in critical condition.

His ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and daughters Zindzi Mandela-Motlhajwa and Zenani Mandela-Dlamini spent time with him at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, the South African Press Association reported.

Government officials paid visits as well.

His wife, Graca Machel, spends every night at the hospital, where the former president has been since June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Previously, authorities had described his condition as serious but stable.

But over the weekend, his health took a turn for the worse, with the South African president’s office saying he was in critical condition.

“The doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort,” President Jacob Zuma told the nation Monday.

The former president’s health will not affect U.S. President Barack Obama’s planned visit to the country this week, Zuma said, according to the press association.

Mandela, 94, has become increasingly frail over the years and has not appeared in public since South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010.

Outside the hospital Monday, a security wall was awash with get-well cards, balloons, flowers, cards and paintings, the press association reported.

Read the full story on CNN.