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Mandela discharged from hospital

1 September 2013

Nelson Mandela was discharged on Sunday morning from the Pretoria hospital where he received treatment for almost three months, South Africa's Presidency has announced.

The Presidency said in a statement on Sunday that Mandela's condition "remains critical and is at times unstable", but that his team of doctors were convinced that he would receive the same level of intensive care at his Houghton, Johannesburg home that he had been receiving in hospital.

"His home has been reconfigured to allow him to receive intensive care there," the Presidency said, adding: "The health care personnel providing care at his home are the very same who provided care to him in hospital. If there are health conditions that warrant another admission to hospital in future, this will be done.

"During his stay in hospital from the 8th of June 2013, the condition of our former president vacillated between serious to critical and at times unstable. He has received full medical support and continues to do so."

Mandela has been treated by a large medical team drawn from the military, academic, private and other public health care sectors.

During his stay in hospital, he received constant visits from family, friends and colleagues - and messages of support in the thousands from across the country and all over the world.

"Despite the difficulties imposed by his various illnesses, he, as always, displays immense grace and fortitude," the Presidency said.

"We would like to wish him all the best as he continues his recovery at his Johannesburg home.

"We now call on all to allow the former president and his family the necessary private space so that his continuing care can proceed with dignity and without unnecessary intrusion."

SAinfo reporter