Former South African president Nelson Mandela's condition is still critical, but doctors are now saying that his condition has improved overnight, ABC News reports.
The South African government released a statement on Thursday, bringing some relief to citizens, as one of Mendela's daughters said that he was still opening his eyes and responding to the touch of his family, despite the precarious state of his health.
"We know that Madiba is a fighter, he's been a fighter all his life and he's tough," presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj told ABC News, using Mandela's clan name. He said the latest medical report had brought "a little bit of relief."
The 94-year old anti-apartheid figure has been suffering from what the government says is a recurring lung infection, though rumors have circulated through the media on the nature of his condition. Messages of support and flowers have been delivered to the Pretoria hospital where Mendela is being treated, and some feel that the national and global outpouring of support is a kind of role reversal for a man that has helped so many people already as he aided his compatriots in a struggle for democracy and an end to apartheid.
"We are very grateful as South Africans for the promises that we are getting that he is stabilizing right now," Andy Lembeki, a well-wisher, told ABC News.
President Jacob Zuma's office said he received the update from the hospital on Mandela's most current condition, and canceled an international trip today to instead visit Mandela for the second day in a row.
"I canceled my visit to Mozambique today so that I can see him and confer with the doctors," President Zuma said in the statement. "He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night."
Zuma urged people to pray for Mandela and for citizens to continue on with their daily life and work.
Mendela's daughter Makaziwe Mandela posted comments on the SABC website, writing "anything is imminent" with her father, who many South Africans affectionately refer to as "Tata" or "Father."
"I want to emphasize again that it's only God who knows when the time to go is," she said. "So we will wait with Tata. He's still giving us hope by opening his eyes, he's still reactive to touch, we will live with that hope until the final end comes."
July 18 marks Mandela's 95th birthday, an occasion in which organizers in South Africa and across the globe are planning humanitarians acts in honor of the former president's legacy.
"If God takes him before he reaches his 95th birthday, so be it," said Samson Divhula, a statistician in Pretoria. "We'll accept it and wish Mandela well and still celebrate his 95th birthday."
