Prayers ahead of Mandela's birthday

A group of senior citizens from Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, prayed for ailing former president Nelson Mandela outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital on Tuesday.

   

They sang songs dedicated to the anti-apartheid icon and hoped he would get better soon.

   

"We'd like him to get him better and stronger," one of the group of elderly women said.

   

One of the songs they sang included the words "Mandela we thank you for the freedom". Mandela's 95th birthday would be celebrated on Thursday.

   

Activity outside the private facility, in Pretoria, remained fairly quiet, with a few passers-by stopping at the wall where photos and messages of support had been placed.

   

Some people joined the women in singing, dancing, and ululating.

   

The anti-apartheid icon is spending his 39th day in the private hospital since being admitted on June 8.

   

On Sunday, it was reported that former president Thabo Mbeki said he believed Mandela would be discharged soon to recuperate at home.

   

Mbeki reportedly said he knew the ailing elder statesman's doctors and they were doing an excellent job.

   

According to the last update from the presidency Mandela was responding to treatment and was still in a critical but stable condition.

   

-Sapa