Mandela spends fifth day in hospital

2012-12-12 18

Former South African President Nelson Mandela remains in this Pretoria hospital for a fifth day, where he is recovering from a lung infection.

It is unclear when the 94 year old anti-apartheid leader will be discharged.

South Africa's first black president, Mandela remains a hero to many of its 52 million people.

The office of current president Jacob Zuma issued a statement saying that Mandela is making progress in recovery.

Mandela, a global symbol of resistance to racism and injustice, spent 27 years in apartheid prisons.

He was released in 1990 and went on to use his unparalleled prestige to push for reconciliation between whites and blacks as the bedrock of post apartheid South Africa.