Mandela "critical but stable" as Zuma announces birthday preparations South Africans continue to flood to the hospital where the father of the "Rainbow Nation," Nelson Mandela remains critically ill with a lung infection. President Jacob Zuma announced that Mandela's condition was still critical but stable. A diagnosis which has lasted for nine days. He took the opportunity to tell the country to start preparations for Mandela's 95th birthday on July 18th. The date is also known as the UN-recognised Mandela Day. Celebrated since 2009, the event encourages people to do something good for humankind. But some are critical of the coverage Mandela's illness has attracted. South African police captain Moses Sithebe preached to a crowd of policeman. "Others are preparing the grave without getting the answer from God, Amen, Modimo (God) is not yet time for that, others are saying it's time for you to be buried Madiba, Modimo (God), is not yet my time, I am still preparing you," said the police captain. The ailing health of the anti-apartheid hero continues to dominate the world's media, proving the legacy of Mandela reverberates across the globe. More about: Anniversary, Nelson Mandela, South Africa