Mandela With Winnie, Ex-Wife, at Hospital During Visit; Condition 'Serious But Stable'

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Monday, June 10, 2013

Winnie Mandela paid her ex-husband Nelson Mandela a visit during the former South African president's third day in the hospital.

The 94-year-old former leader is being treated for a recurring lung infection at a Pretoria hospital, according to the South African government.

Today, Mandela's condition is "serious but stable," according to the BBC.

The former president's condition has not changed since he was admitted into intensive care on Saturday.

However, on Monday, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela joined Mandela at his bedside.

"Nelson #Mandela's (sic) ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela arrives at hospital where he is in serious condition," the BBC posted to Twitter.

Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, also remains with her husband after canceling a scheduled appearance in London on Saturday.

Other members of Mandela's family including his daughters have also been visiting the Nobel Peace Prize winner in recent days, according to News.com.au.

Prayers and messages of support are rampant across the country for Mandela, who served as president from 1994 to 1999.

"President Jacob Zuma reiterates his call for South Africa to pray for Madiba and the family during this time," said the South African government in a statement. Madiba is Mr. Mandela's clan name.

Mandela's lung condition is believed to be the result of his 27-year incarceration where he worked in a prison quarry. It was there that he contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s.

Another recent update on Mandela's condition clarified that visitors were not being barred from the anti-apartheid leader's bedside. The African National Congress (ANC) debunked a report in The Star newspaper that claimed senior party leaders and government officials were not to visit the hospital.

"We have spoken to the family about this report and they deny that they have issued such an instruction or [have] spoken to the media on barring the ANC and government from visiting Madiba," the party said in a statement, according to News.au.