Johannesburg: Graca Machel, the wife of South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela, said she was less anxious about his condition today, five weeks after he was admitted to hospital.
"He continues to respond positively to treatment. I would say that today I'm less anxious than I was a week ago," she told state-backed SABC television.
It is the latest in a series of upbeat accounts, which seem to suggest that while the 94-year-old's condition remains "critical", it has improved somewhat.
"He remains as much of a fighter now as he was 50 years ago," Mr Zuma said, marking the anniversary of a police raid that led to Mandela's life sentence in prison.
"He could not talk, but he recognised me and made a few gestures of acknowledgement, like moving his eyes."
Doctors are said to have ruled out switching off Mandela's life support machines unless there is serious organ failure.
Mr Mandela, who turns 95 next week, was rushed to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.
"He continues to respond positively to treatment. I would say that today I'm less anxious than I was a week ago," she told state-backed SABC television.
It is the latest in a series of upbeat accounts, which seem to suggest that while the 94-year-old's condition remains "critical", it has improved somewhat.
"He remains as much of a fighter now as he was 50 years ago," Mr Zuma said, marking the anniversary of a police raid that led to Mandela's life sentence in prison.
Advertisement
"He could not talk, but he recognised me and made a few gestures of acknowledgement, like moving his eyes."
Advertisement
Doctors are said to have ruled out switching off Mandela's life support machines unless there is serious organ failure.
Advertisement
Mr Mandela, who turns 95 next week, was rushed to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Completely Blank...": Rohit Sharma Reveals Turning Point For India In T20 World Cup Final Court Says Some Games Fixed During India vs South Africa Series In 2000 After Gautam Gambhir Appointment, His Rumoured Kolkata Knight Riders Replacement Shares Thoughts Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Shooter Had Trump's Face Right In Middle Of Crosshairs, Shows New Video Ice-Cream Shop Owner Hospitalised After Being Shot At In Pune: Cops PM Modi Meets Party Staffers At BJP Headquarters NMC Approves 50 MBBS Seats For New Medical College In Odisha Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.