Former South African President Nelson Mandela remains in critical condition at a Pretoria hospital where he has been hospitalized for more than two weeks.
The news did little to calm nerves as an anxious nation stood vigil.
Mandela has been hospitalized since June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Previously, authorities had described his condition as serious but stable.
But over the weekend, Mandela’s health took a turn for the worse, with the South African president’s office saying he was was in critical condition.
It didn’t show improvement Monday.
“Former president Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital,” Zuma told the nation Monday. “The doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well being and comfort.”
He declined to comment further.
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, a security wall was awash with get-well cards, balloons, flowers, cards and paintings, the South African Press Association reported.
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