Mandela remains in hospital for 50 days

CAPE TOWN - Ailing former South African President Nelson Mandela continued to be responsive to treatment on his 50th day in hospital, the country's Presidency said Saturday.

Mandela's condition remains critical but stable, the Presidency said.

Mandela spent his 50th day in hospital where he is receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection.

"We appreciate that he (Mandela) has been in hospital for 50 days already, but we must take solace that he is being attended to by the most formidable and competent medical teams that we could put together, so he is under good care," presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said through the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

"He is responsive and we should take heart from that," Maharaj said.

Mandela was rushed to a Pretoria hospital on June 8. This is his fourth and longest hospital stay since December last year.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been suffering from a recurring lung infection, which is the result of tuberculosis developed when he was imprisoned during the apartheid period.

South African President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela on Monday morning and assured Mandela of "love and support of all South Africans."

Zuma urged people to keep their prayers for Mandela.

Since Mandela spent his 95th birthday on July 18 in hospital, the South African government began to release the official update about Mandela's health condition.

Mandela's grandson said last week that his grandfather "is gaining strength every day."