Nelson Mandela Remains in South African Hospital for Eighth Day

Former South African President Nelson Mandela remained hospitalized for an eighth day to treat a recurring lung infection.

“His status is unchanged from yesterday,” Mac Maharaj, a spokesman for President Jacob Zuma, said by phone. “He remains in treatment.”

Mandela, 94, was admitted to a hospital in the capital, Pretoria, on Dec. 8 for medical tests. Doctors later diagnosed the lung ailment. It’s the second time he’s been hospitalized this year after undergoing exploratory abdominal surgery in February. Last year, Mandela received treatment for an acute respiratory infection.

After spending 27 years in prison under South Africa’s white-minority government, Mandela was elected the nation’s first black president in 1994. He stepped down voluntarily in 1999.

To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Burkhardt in Johannesburg at pburkhardt@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: John Viljoen at jviljoen@bloomberg.net