Nelson Mandela on life support

Nelson Mandela is on life support, an official informed of his current position reported on Wednesday. The former president of South Africa has been in the hospital after arriving on June 8 to treat a lung infection. Authorities say Mandela has been in critical condition since Sunday. President Jacob Zuma cancelled plans to attend a summit on Thursday once he visited Mandela late on Wednesday night.

South Africans have kept vigil outside the hospital, lighting candles and holding signs with messages to Mandela. Family members of Mandela have been outside to collect gifts the citizens have left for the former politician. “He’s going to feel a lot better when he sees these signs,” Mandela’s grandson-in-law, David Manaway said.