Nelson Mandela’s health is improving, reports NBC.
The 94-year-old leader is said to be “responding better to treatment,” according to a statement from South African President Jacob Zuma’s office.
Today, for the first time since Mandela was hospitalized, the family spoke about his condition. Mandela’s grandson, Mandla, spoke on their behalf. “We appreciate the support we have received,” he said. “We are particularly honored to have received all the prayers and messages. We want to say ‘thank you’ and we appreciate all the support you have shown to our grandfather and your father—because my grandfather is the father of the nation, because he is embraced by the whole global community—so we appreciate the support we have received.”
Mandela has been battling an on-going lung infection in recent months. He was released from the hospital on April 6th after a 10-day stay for pneumonia. In December, Mandela was hospitalized for a lung infection and to have gallstones removed.
The former leader’s political party, The African National Congress, released a statement on Monday. “We will keep President Mandela and his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time and call upon South Africans and the peoples of the globe to do the same for our beloved statesman and icon, Madiba,” it read.