Nelson Mandela remains in hospital in critical condition despite claims he was being released Nelson Mandela remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition, the office of South Africa's president said today. In a statement, the office of President Jacob Zuma denied reports that the former freedom fighter, who was the first black president of South Africa, had been released from the hospital. The update on the 95-year-old anti-apartheid hero's condition is unchanged from last week, when Zuma said Mandela showed 'great resilience'. Nelson Mandela pictured in 2010: the former president remains in a critical but stable condition, Jacob Zuma's office said today 'Madiba is still in hospital in Pretoria, and remains in a critical but stable condition,' the statement said, referring to Mandela by his clan name. At times his condition becomes unstable, but he responds to medical interventions. Mandela was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 with what officials said was a recurring lung infection. Mandela remains very fragile, and the few details released about his condition are tightly controlled by his family and Zuma's office. Well-wishers outside the Mandela family home: The location of Mandela's grand family home on the wealthy Johannesburg suburb of Houghton is one of South Africa's worst-kept secrets Zuma last week urged South Africans to pray for Mandela and to keep him in their thoughts at all times. The location of Mr Mandela's grand family home on the wealthy Johannesburg suburb of Houghton is one of South Africa's worst-kept secrets. It is frequently visited by media and well-wishers who leave messages for a speedy recovery on painted stones outside the residence. Mandela spent 27 years as a prisoner under apartheid and then emerged to negotiate an end to white minority rule before becoming president in the country's first all-race elections in 1994. He became South Africa's first democratically elected leader and first black president in 1994 after worldwide pressure, including a mass boycott, ended the white-minority apartheid regime.