Mandela discharged from hospital

Former South African president had been suffering from pneumonia

An ambulance believed to be transporting former South African president Nelson Mandela arrives at his house in Houghton, Pretoria. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters.
An ambulance believed to be transporting former South African president Nelson Mandela arrives at his house in Houghton, Pretoria. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela (94) has been discharged from hospital after a nine-day stay for treatment of pneumonia, the office of the presidency said today.

"(He) has been discharged from hospital today following a sustained and gradual improvement in his general condition," it said in a statement.

Mr Mandela was admitted to a hospital in the South African capital of Pretoria on the night of March 27th.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela waves to the crowd at Soccer City stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg. Photograph: Michael Kooren/Files/Reuters.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela waves to the crowd at Soccer City stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg. Photograph: Michael Kooren/Files/Reuters.

It was his third trip to a hospital since December.

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In the statement, president Jacob Zuma thanked the medical team and hospital staff that looked after Mr Mandela.

Mr Mandela stepped down as president in 1999 and has not been politically active for a decade.

But he is still revered at home and abroad for leading the long campaign against apartheid and then championing racial reconciliation while in office.

Mr Mandela has a history of lung problems dating from when he contracted tuberculosis as a political prisoner.

He spent 27 years on Robben Island and in other jails for his attempts to overthrow the white-minority government.