Nelson Mandela's condition has worsened, deemed "critical"

President Jacob Zuma said Mandela's doctors were "doing everything possible" for the anti-apartheid icon

Published June 23, 2013 8:27PM (EDT)

Nelson Mandela      (AP)
Nelson Mandela (AP)

South African president Jacob Zuma said in a statement on Sunday that Nelson Mandela has become critically ill, and that Mandela's doctors were "doing everything possible to get his condition to improve."

The 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon has been hospitalized since earlier this month for what government officials say is a reoccurring lung infection. His condition had been previously described as "serious but stable."

The statement from Zuma's office went on to say that "Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands," referring to Mandela by his Xhosa tribal name.

 

 


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

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Apartheid Jacob Zuma Nelson Mandela South Africa