Nelson Mandela in a critical but stable condition

27 June 2013 Last updated at 07 55 ET

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Ndileka Mandela A lot of comfort in messages of support

Former South African leader Nelson Mandela is in a stable condition his granddaughter says though he remains critical.

Ndileka Mandela said the 94 year old's family were taking comfort from messages of support from the public.

Meanwhile his daughter Makaziwe said he was still there and responding to touch.

South Africa's first black president has been in hospital in Pretoria since 8 June with a lung infection.

His health has worsened in recent days prompting current President Jacob Zuma to cancel a foreign visit. He has now arrived back at the hospital.

Continue reading the main story At the scene Gabriel Gatehouse BBC News Pretoria

The gate outside the hospital is festooned with flowers cards and placards. Get well soon Tata Madiba many of them say as they gather to pay tribute to a man who changed the face of a nation.

A group of children from a nearby township squealed with delight as they released dozens of balloons into the air. Members of the ANC Youth League arrived singing songs dressed in yellow T shirts emblazoned with the words There is no born free without a liberator.

Members of Nelson Mandela's family continue to visit his bedside as they have done for the past 20 days. A granddaughter emerged from the hospital to thank well wishers for their messages of support.

They have given us strength to carry on she said and to give him positive energy. But as she gathered a bunch of flowers from the pavement she spoke of her anxiety at her grandfather's critical condition.

Emotional crowds have gathered outside adding messages of support for Mr Mandela known by his clan name Madiba.

Children released 94 balloons into the air in his honour.

Correspondents say South Africans now seem resigned to the prospect of his death.

We don't like seeing Mandela going through so much pain he has had a tough time in his life and he's gone through a lot of struggle. I think this struggle should get over sooner Khulile Mlondleni told Reuters news agency.

We are all going to feel bad when he passes away but at the same time we will be celebrating his life. He has done so many great things for this country said 25 year old John Ndlovu quoted by the agency.

US President Barack Obama who is in Senegal described Mr Mandela as a hero for the world .

His legacy will linger on through the ages he said.

Speculation warning

After visiting her grandfather in hospital Mdileka Mandela said it was an anxious time for the family.

He's stable and we'd like to say that we thank everybody for giving their support and praying with us... we are anxious as you know that he is critical but he's in a stable condition right now she said.

It's been hard especially because of all of this that we have to do everything in the public eye.

Continue reading the main story Nelson Mandela Key dates 1918 Born in the Eastern Cape 1944 Joins African National Congress 1956 Charged with high treason but charges dropped 1962 Arrested convicted of sabotage sentenced to five years in prison 1964 Charged again sentenced to life 1990 Freed from prison 1993 Wins Nobel Peace Prize 1994 Elected first black president 1999 Steps down as leader BBC History Mandela's defiant freedom speech

Later Mr Mandela's daughter Makaziwe said that while the situation was serious he was still responsive.

He doesn't look good I'm not going to lie. But as I say if we speak to him he responds and tries to open his eyes. He's still there. He might be waning off but he's still there she told public broadcaster SABC.

She was also highly critical of the behaviour of the international media.

There is a racist element with many of the international media where they cross boundaries truly vultures waiting for when the lion has devoured the buffalo it has gone overboard Ms Mandela said.

Mr Zuma's spokesman Mac Maharaj said on Wednesday evening that Mr Mandela's condition had deteriorated over the weekend.

After consultations with doctors Mr Zuma said he was cancelling his trip to a regional summit in the Mozambican capital Maputo.

The statement from his office said he reiterated his gratitude on behalf of government to all South Africans who continue to support the Madiba family .

The decision will only reinforce the impression that Mr Mandela's life is slipping away the BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports from Johannesburg.

But later Mr Zuma's office warned against speculation about Mr Mandela's health saying that announcements about his condition would come from the president himself or Mr Maharaj.

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The BBC's Karen Allen says there is a mixture of emotions outside the hospital

Mr Maharaj criticised some media outlets for broadcasting unverified information as rumours spread on social media sites.

Meanwhile media reports say the bodies of three of Mr Mandela's children are to be moved from his birthplace to his home in Qunu where he himself has said he wants to be buried.

They include his son Makgatho who died of an Aids related illness in 2005.

Mr Mandela is revered for leading the fight against white minority rule in South Africa and then preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was elected president the following year. He left office in 1999 after a single term.

Continue reading the main story For days South Africans have been arriving outside the Pretoria hospital to express their support for Nelson Mandela. As part of the efforts of well wishers children let off 94 white balloons each one representing a year in Mr Mandela's life Some lit candles as they prayed for the revered former leader. The iconic leader has been in hospital since 8 June but his condition is said to be worsening. Many are now resigned to the fact that Mr Mandela may not recover. Continue reading the main story

Mr Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has rarely been seen at official events since.

He has a long history of lung problems and was diagnosed with tuberculosis in the 1980s while he was a prisoner on Robben Island off Cape Town.

After his release Mr Mandela said that the tuberculosis was probably caused by dampness in his prison cell.

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