Mandela remains in critical but stable condition

Children hold placards as they gather to wish to former President Nelson Mandela happy birthday at a township school in Atteridgeville near Pretoria, in this July 18, 2013 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

JOHANNESBURG - Former South African President Nelson Mandela still remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital in Pretoria, and continues to show improvement, the Presidency said on Tuesday.

"President Jacob Zuma has urged the public to continue praying for Madiba and he thanks those who partake in community work to take forward the good work of Madiba," presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

Mandela has been hospitalized for a recurring lung infection at a Pretoria hospital since June 8.

Zuma also called upon the business community to support the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital project, Maharaj said.

"Madiba loves children and wants the best for them. He wants us to ensure that they have a better future. He expressed eloquently his wish for a special hospital to cater for the needs of children, hence the plans to establish the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital in his honour," said Maharaj.

He said the Department of Health, civil society and the academic sector are working together to make this project succeed.

"The hospital will be one of the most inspiring legacies of this remarkable statesman and leader of our people, and we humbly invite all sectors to actively support this project. We also urge the public at large to rally behind this project so that it can come to fruition," the Presidency said.

There were no plans to change the current method of updating the nation and the world, the Presidency said, adding that the updates are based on what Mandela's doctor say and the text is actually approved in consultation with the doctors.