Churches across South Africa pray for former President Mandela

Churches across South Africa have held prayers for former President Nelson Mandela, who led the struggle against apartheid.

At the Regina Mundi church in Soweto - once a focal point of the anti-apartheid struggle several hundred people gathered to pray for Mr Mandela.
Another service, at Midvaal south of Johannesburg was attended by a grand-daughter of the former leader, Ndileka Mandela. 

In the statement, released shortly before the former leader was due to spend a fifth night in hospital, President Jacob Zuma thanked "the thousands of South Africans who prayed for Madiba at various Easter church services".

The statement further said doctors treating Mr. Nelson Mandela for pneumonia report "a further improvement in his condition.

Adding that he "had a restful day" in hospital and continued to receive treatment.

Mr Mandela, 94, has spent four days in hospital and there are no details yet on much longer he will stay there.

His lungs are said to have been damaged while working in a prison quarry. This latest spell in hospital is his fourth in just over two years.

Mr Mandela served as South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999 and is regarded by many as the father of the nation for leading the struggle against apartheid.

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj, a prisoner on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela in the 1960s and 70s, said on Saturday that Mr Mandela had been admitted to hospital "due to a recurrence of pneumonia".

In his statement he said: "Doctors advised that due to the lung infection, former President Mandela had developed a pleural effusion which was tapped. 

This has resulted in him now being able to breathe without difficulty.

The hospital Mr Mandela is attending has not been disclosed.

BBC NEWS