Former South African President Nelson Mandela was discharged from the
hospital Saturday, the country's presidential office said, "following a
sustained and gradual improvement in his general condition.
"
Mandela "will now receive home based high care," the statement said.
The 94-year-old, who was South Africa's first black president, was
admitted to the hospital on March 27. He has received treatment for a
recurring lung infection and pneumonia.
The governing African National Congress welcomed the news.
"Let us continue to keep President Mandela and his family in our
prayers as he continues to receive treatment from home," the party said
in a statement.
The presidential office did not specify whether Mandela would return
to his home in Johannesburg or in his childhood village of Qunu.
Each home is equipped with a mini clinic that can provide 24-hour
care as he continues his recovery from this bout of pneumonia.
Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has become increasingly frail
over the years and has not appeared in public since South Africa hosted
the World Cup in 2010.
His history of lung problems dates back to when he was a political
prisoner on Robben Island during apartheid. He contracted tuberculosis
during the 27 years he was imprisoned.
He underwent treatment for a lung infection and had surgery to remove
gallstones over the Christmas holiday in 2012, one of his longest
hospital stays since his release from prison in 1990.
President Jacob Zuma "thanks the hard working medical team and
hospital staff for looking after Madiba so efficiently," the statement
from the presidential office said.
"He also extended his gratitude to all South Africans and friends of
the Republic in Africa and around the world for support."
Madiba is Mandela's clan name, and how he is widely referred to in
South Africa.
CNN
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