Nelson Mandela’s health improves overnight

The South African government said Thursday that former South African President Nelson Mandela is in critical but stable condition.

South Africa and the world had been preparing for the worst after reports that he was in critical condition and on life support on Wednesday.

A daughter of the 94-year-old revolutionary said that he still opens his eyes and responds to the touch of family members, according to the Huffington Post.

“He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night,” said President Jacob Zuma, who spoke with the medical team charged with treating Mandela.

Zuma cancelled a visit to Mozambique to visit Mandela in the Pretoria hospital, where he has been since June 8 when he was admitted due to a recurring lung infection, reports the BBC.

“We know that Madiba is a fighter, he's been a fighter all his life and he's tough,” said presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj, who also commented that the recent medical reports provided “a little bit of relief.”

In light of his critical condition, Mandela was honored by children recently when they released 94 balloons into the air, one for each year of his life.

Though South Africans are deeply saddened by his declining health, many wish for his suffering to end.

“We don't like seeing Mandela going through so much pain, he has had a tough time in his life and he's gone through a lot of struggle. I think this struggle should get over sooner,” said Khulile Mlondleni.

Image: WikiCommons