South Africa: Mandela Discharged From Hospital

Photo: Nelson Mandela Foundation/SAPA
Nelson Mandela in June 2009.

Johannesburg — Former President Nelson Mandela was discharged from hospital on Wednesday evening, the Presidency said.

"He will undergo home-based high care at his Houghton home until he recovers fully," said spokesman Mac Maharaj.

"We thank the public and the media for the good wishes and for affording Madiba and the family the necessary privacy.

"We request a continuation of the privacy consideration in order to allow for the best possible conditions for full recovery."

Mandela, 94, spent Christmas Day in hospital, having been flown to Pretoria from his Eastern Cape home at Qunu on December 8.

He was diagnosed with a lung infection and also underwent gallstone surgery.

His current stay in hospital is his longest since he was freed over two decades ago.

Mandela has a history of lung problems having suffered from tuberculosis towards the end of his 27-years spent in prison.

President Jacob Zuma said in a statement on Tuesday, that Mandela was "looking much better" and was in high spirits.

Zuma had visited the former statesman, joining Mandela's wife, Graca Machel and other family members, in presenting Christmas wishes to Mandela at his hospital bedside in Pretoria.

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