Mandela’s recovery on track, says govt

Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s recovery is ‘on track’ at his home in Johannesburg, the government said yesterday in its first statement.

Mandela, 94, who has been in frail health for several years, spent nearly three weeks in a Pretoria hospital in December for treatment of a lung infection and surgery to remove gallstones, his longest stay for medical care since his release from prison in 1990.

“Madiba’s recovery continues on track,” presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said referring to Mandela by his clan name. “We are now in the phase where if we do not hear from his doctors, we assume he is all right,” he said, without giving details on Mandela’s condition.

 Mandela has been receiving what the government calls “home-based high care” at his residence in a Johannesburg neighbourhood.