Mandela's wife says he’s responding to treatment

2013-07-12 32

Well-wishers gathered near the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday as the country's former president Nelson Mandela spent a 35th day receiving treatment for a serious lung infection.

Mandela's wife left her husband's side on Friday to be finger-printed in Johannesburg for a new smart identity card that will be launched on the former president's birthday next week.

Graca Machel has been keeping a low profile, spending most of her time close to her husband at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital.

On Friday, she said she was relieved that Mandela was responding positively to treatment.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NELSON MANDELA'S WIFE, GRACA MACHEL, SAYING:

"He continues to respond positively to treatment. I would say that today I am less anxious than I was a week ago."

Mandela was admitted on June 8 for emergency treatment.

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