South Africans pray as Mandela remains hospitalized

South Africans prayed for Nelson Mandela’s recovery on Sunday as the 94-year-old former president spent a second day in hospital with a recurring lung infection.

Mandela, who became South Africa’s first black leader in 1994 after the defeat of apartheid and remains a global symbol of triumph over adversity, was hospitalized early on Saturday after his already frail health worsened.

It is his fourth hospital stay since December. The government said on Saturday his condition was “serious but stable”. During previous hospital visits, it had highlighted his “good spirits”.

Mandela’s health is a cause for concern to the millions of South Africans who have revered him for decades because he struggled successfully against white minority rule and steered the continent’s biggest economy to all-race elections.

Officials have not released an update on his health since announcing that he was back in hospital more than 24 hours ago. The presidency confirmed on Saturday that Mandela is breathing unassisted.

“It’s time to let him go,” said the front-page headline in the Sunday Times, with a picture of the former statesman smiling and waving.

“We wish Madiba a speedy recovery, but I think what is important is that his family must release him,” longtime friend Andrew Mlangeni, 87, told the newspaper, referring to Mandela by his clan name.

“You (Madiba) have been coming to the hospital too many times. Quite clearly you are not well and there is a possibility you might not be well again.”

“Once the family releases him, the people of South Africa will follow. We will say thank you, God, you have given us this man, and we will release him too,” said Mlangeni, who served time alongside Mandela in apartheid prison.

The Sunday media splashed pictures of the country’s first black president in better health on the front pages.

The City Press’s front page showed a smiling Mandela and quoted President Jacob Zuma urging prayers, while the tabloid Sunday Sun headline said, “Madiba fights for life!”

Journalists had once again gathered outside a Pretoria hospital where Mandela is believed to be, but the presidency has not disclosed the location.

Hundreds gathered to pray for him at Sunday Mass at the Regina Mundi Catholic church in the sprawling Johannesburg township of Soweto.

“We wish him a speedy recovery, he must get well,” Soweto resident Mlugisi Sekhosana said. “We know what he did for us in South Africa. All the nation, black and white, we wish him well.”

Mandela’s wife Graca Machel was at his hospital bedside after calling off a trip to London.

The anti-apartheid icon was once again suffering from pneumonia, after he was discharged in April for the same condition, said presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj.

“His condition deteriorated to the point where it was found necessary to hospitalize him,” he said. “But I am told by the doctors that he is breathing on his own, so I think that is a positive side,” he added.

The announcement of Mandela’s “serious” condition created a buzz on Twitter.

“Stay strong, Mr Mandela. Heaven isn’t ready for you quite yet!” was one plea. But there were also blunt calls to accept Mandela’s increasing frailty and mortality.

“Gosh, Madiba gets no rest from the media. Let him die with dignity. It’s not a circus, folks,” tweeted @Eish_Mag.

In his rural childhood village of Qunu, where Mandela once tended cattle and sheep, the news came via radio for Malunga Mbokodi, 62.

“I was shocked to hear from the radio this morning that he was again in hospital,” he told the Sapa news agency. “I think we should just accept it that Mandela is old and he will go soon,” he added.

Another resident, Bongile Habe, told the private news channel eNCA that he, too, was shocked by his neighbor’s new bout of ill health. “We hope he recovers and we hope he lives longer with us so we may gain his wisdom,” he said.

The ruling African National Congress called for people at home and abroad to keep “our beloved statesman and icon, Madiba” in their prayers.