Mandela Is Treated for Pneumonia

JOHANNESBURG—Former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated for pneumonia but is responding to doctors' efforts while he remains in the hospital for a third day, South Africa's presidency said.

The presidency previously said Mr. Mandela had been admitted on Mar. 27 due to a recurring lung infection. Saturday, it provided more details.

"Former President Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital...due to a recurrence of pneumonia. Doctors advise that due to the lung infection, former President Mandela had developed a pleural effusion which was tapped," said Mac Maharaj, a spokesman for President Jacob Zuma, in a statement. "This has resulted in him now being able to breathe without difficulty. He continues to respond to treatment and is comfortable."

The 94-year-old former leader was admitted to an unidentified hospital overnight on Thursday, his second hospitalization this month. This follows a 19-day stay in December for an operation to have gallstones removed and to treat a lung infection. Mr. Mandela has battled lung problems for decades, having been diagnosed with the early stages of tuberculosis while he was in prison. The frequency of his hospital stays has increased in recent months.

Mr. Mandela, elected South Africa's first black president in 1994 as a member of the African National Congress, served as president for one term after spending more than a quarter of a century behind bars for his efforts to end apartheid.

He has largely avoided public view in recent years as his health has deteriorated. He made a rare appearance during the final of the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, circling the field in a golf cart with his wife, Graca Machel. After his presidency, he largely stayed out of politics.

His ex-wife, Winnie Mandela, told reporters on Friday outside of her church in Soweto that Mr. Mandela was "doing well."

"It is very inspiring that at least we have the whole world on our side. It is a very difficult time," she said.

Mr. Zuma called on the nation not to panic over Mr. Mandela's health earlier in the week, while acknowledging the antiapartheid hero was at an advanced age and in frail health.

As Mr. Mandela's health remains in the spotlight, the party he led in South Africa's first democratic elections has also come under scrutiny. Bitter political infighting has divided the ANC. While South Africa has achieved political equality, there is still a large gap between rich and poor and unemployment is high. Mining-sector strikes at the end of last year that killed around 50 people highlighted the serious problems the country still faces.

News Source: online.wsj.com