Nelson Mandela spends 13th day in South African hospital

Mandela spends 13th day in the hospital: Giant statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Bloemfontein, South Africa. IMAGE

AP Photo: Themba Hadebe. Mandela spends 13th day in the hospital: Giant statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Bloemfontein, South Africa. IMAGE

12/20/12

South Africa's 94-year-old former president needs "extraordinary care" in his recovery because of his age, the current president says.

JOHANNESBURG — Nelson Mandela is spending a 13th day in a South African hospital after being diagnosed with a lung infection and undergoing gallstone surgery.

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Thursday that there is no update on the medical status of the anti-apartheid icon, who was admitted Dec. 8 to a hospital in the capital, Pretoria.

President Jacob Zuma said Tuesday the 94-year-old Mandela required "extraordinary care" due to his age, and could spend several more days in the hospital recovering.

Mandela was a leader of the struggle against racist white rule in South Africa, serving 27 years in prison for his beliefs. He served one five-year term as president before retiring from public life.

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