Nelson Mandela spends a 12th day in a South African hospital after illness, surgery
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - This photo taken Monday Aug. 6, 2012 shows former South African President Nelson Mandela when he met with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, unseen, at his home in Qunu, South Africa. Mandela on Friday, Dec 14 2012 entered the seventh day of a hospital stay for a lung infection as questions grow about where he is receiving treatment. The 94-year-old patriarch of South Africa's democracy has been hospitalized since Saturday, first undergoing tests and later being diagnosed with the ailment. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool, File) (AP)
Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela is spending a twelfth day in a South African hospital after being diagnosed with a lung infection and undergoing gallstone surgery.
South Africa's government has said the 94-year-old Mandela was admitted Dec. 8 to a hospital in the country's capital, Pretoria. Officials said Mandela underwent an endoscopic surgery to remove gallstones Saturday after doctors treated him for a recurrent lung infection.
On Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma said in a statement that Mandela required "extraordinary care" due to his age and could spend several more days in the hospital recovering.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mandela is revered for being a leader of the struggle against racist white rule in South Africa, serving 27 years in prison for his beliefs. He served one five-year term as president before retiring from public life.