Only President Jacob Zuma's office is tasked with issuing updates about the health of the revered elder statesman.
The office of the president confirmed on Sunday that former President Nelson Mandela is making slow but steady improvement. The medical team also reiterated that although his health was improving steadily, Madiba still remained in a critical condition Mandela continues to receive treatment at the heart hospital in Pretoria after he was admitted in June for a kidney failure.
On Friday, his youngest daughter, Zinzi Mandela told the SABC that her father was becoming increasingly alert. "He's fine. Tata now manages to sits up in a chair for a few minutes in a day, every day you know he becomes more alert and responsive. Tata is determined not to go anywhere anytime soon, I cannot stress this enough," she said.
President Zuma once again thanked South Africans for ongoing prayers and for keeping the former president in their thoughts. “Let us continue to pray for Madiba’s recovery and good health,’’ said President Zuma According to Zinzi, "He just doesn't have the strength of a man; he has the strength that is beyond anything that can be explained. Even now with the challenges to his health, he somehow manages to bounce back when everyone assumes this is the end."