Nelson Mandela is on life support this afternoon, reports CNN.
It’s the latest news regarding the ailing leader’s health according to an official who was updated on his condition.
Mandela, 94, has been hospitalized since June 8th for a recurring lung infection. In recent days his condition has gone from serious to critical.
Current South African President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela in a Pretoria hospital on Sunday while he was resting. “It was late, he was already asleep,” said Zuma. “And we then had a bit of a discussion with the doctors as well as his wife, Graca Machel.” His office later shared a statement saying that doctors are doing everything to make him comfortable.
Despite Mandela’s deteriorating health, President Obama isn’t expected to visit Mandela while in South Africa this week, reports USA Today. “President Obama would have loved to see Madiba,” said South Africa International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. “In my country, at my age and your age, when people are ill-disposed, we try to give them space to recover.”
Sending our prayers to South Africa this evening.