Mandela's condition unchanged, says Presidency

Former president Nelson Mandela's condition in a Pretoria hospital remained unchanged on Tuesday afternoon, the Presidency said.

Spokesman Mac Maharaj said Monday's report on Mandela's health still applied.

That update said: "Former president Mandela is still in hospital where he is receiving treatment for pneumonia."

He had also had visits from family and friends.

Earlier, Maharaj said Mandela had fluid drained from his lungs, helping him breathe after a lung infection flared up again.

Mandela was admitted to an undisclosed hospital just before midnight on Wednesday.

In December last year, the elder statesman spent 18 days in a Pretoria hospital for an operation to remove gallstones, and for treatment for his lung infection.

South Africa's first black and democratically-elected president has a long history of lung problems dating back to the time when he contracted tuberculosis while a political prisoner on Robben Island during apartheid.

Meanwhile, well-wishers have taken to leaving garden stones inscribed with inspirational and get well messages outside his home in Houghton, Johannesburg.

"Get well we love you" and "I wish you many more b-days to come" were among the messages left for Mandela.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions said on Tuesday it joined the rest of the country and the world in wishing Mandela a speedy recovery.

"Madiba has always been an invariable encouragement, through apartheid, jail and exile, the mass uprisings of the Eighties, negotiations, and the days of liberation and reconstruction," spokesman Vusumuzi Bhengu said in a statement.

"He remains a valuable asset and a yardstick of what leadership should be, not only to the country, but to the entire universe."

Cosatu wished Madiba a speedy recovery and said the medical team treating him was assured of the trade federation's support.