Barack Obama jets in to South Africa as nation prays for 'improving' Nelson Mandela Former South African President Nelson Mandela is showing a "great improvement" in his health compared to a few days ago, his ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, said on Friday. Nelson Mandela has shown "great improvement" but is still "unwell" his ex-wife says. BARACK Obama has jetted into South Africa as the nation anxiously awaits further news on the condition of ailing former president Nelson Mandela. The 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero has spent another day critically ill in hospital, although his ex-wife Winnie delivered some hope on Friday by declaring that Mandela was improving. A meeting between the two global icons - Mandela and the current US president - still appears unlikely however. Why it's so hard for us to let Mandela go Mr Obama indicated he would defer to Mandela's family about whether to visit. The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive," Obama said aboard Air Force One. US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters walk off Air Force One during an arrival ceremony at Waterkloof Air Base in Centurion, near Pretoria on Friday. The US leader, who has described Mandela as one of his heroes, will host a town-hall meeting in Soweto and visit Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, during his official stay. Speaking from near the house she once shared with Mandela in Soweto, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said her former husband's condition had improved in recent days, but he was still "unwell." She called on the media not to "get carried away" in their reporting on Mandela's illness. As the spotlight is firmly thrust on Mandela's family and relatives, a court ordered Friday that the remains of his three deceased children be moved back to the family graveyard at his ancestral home. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (centre) leaves after speaking to the press outside Nelson Mandela House in Soweto in Johannesberg, South Africa, on Friday. Picture: AP Source: Getty Images Some members of Mandela's family, including two of his daughters, took court action against his grandson, Mandla, in a bid to have the remains returned. The Mtatha High Court in the Eastern Cape reportedly granted the application after Mandla did not attend court and his lawyers said he did not oppose the move. It is believed that Mandela wishes to be buried at Qunu, where he grew up, with his children. He has now been in hospital for 21 days after being taken in with problems relating to a lung infection. Released from jail in 1990 Mandela was elected president in 1994 and oversaw the transition from apartheid and white minority rule.