JOHANNESBURG: Nelson Mandela has been "responding well to treatment", South Africa's government said on Thursday, on his sixth day in hospital for a lung infection.
In a statement, members of the cabinet wished the revered anti-apartheid icon a quick recovery and said they were "pleased that he is responding well to treatment".
The 94-year-old former president was admitted almost a week ago for a pulmonary condition that has plagued him for years.
On Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma had told the country that after "a difficult last few days" Mandela was "responding better."
This is Mandela's fourth hospitalisation since December for a pulmonary condition that has plagued him for years.
A small group of people held a candlelight vigil overnight outside the private clinic in Pretoria where the Nobel peace laureate was admitted almost a week ago.
Many interpret the cabinet's announcement as good news after anxiety over Mandela's condition.
But public joy at his apparent improvement was tempered by distrust of official announcements on his health.
"I don't trust the information that I'm hearing because they say he's in a stable condition but a bad condition," said Anele Ndabeni, 28, a resident of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape province close to Mandela's rural home town.
"They should tell the public and stop hiding what they're saying. I think there's something bad, but I'm not sure what it is."
Another resident, Retselisitsoe Thethe, 29, felt Mandela should be allowed to die in peace.
"They should just let him naturally die. They are keeping him alive but his body is tired," she told AFP.
"His spirit says yes, but his body you know is dead.
"It's time now. We would really appreciate to let him rest in peace," she added.
Members of Mandela's family, known for frequent internal feuding, have visited him regularly in a public display of unity.
On Thursday his daughter Zindzi visited the statesman briefly.
His wife Graca Machel has been at his bedside almost constantly since calling off a trip to London last week.
His eldest daughter Zenani, who is South Africa's ambassador to Argentina, as well as his daughter Makaziwe and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela have visited him almost daily.
The family was "deeply touched" by worldwide support, his grandson and clan leader Mandla Mandela said on Wednesday.
Mandela spent 27 years in prison during white racist rule, walking free in 1990 before becoming South Africa's first black president four years later.
The latest health scare has led to a growing acceptance that Mandela, who turns 95 in July, may be nearing the end of his life.
He has a long history of lung problems since being diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis in 1988 while in prison.
Friends have spoken of his failing memory, a far cry from the sharp-witted dancing statesman celebrated in films and cartoons over the world.
In December he underwent surgery to remove gallstones as he recovered from a lung infection. Then in March he was admitted for a scheduled overnight check-up.
Two months ago he was discharged after treatment for pneumonia.
Mandela has not been seen in public since the World Cup final in South Africa in July 2010.
He appeared frail and distant in a video released by ruling party the African National Congress, when its leader Jacob Zuma visited Mandela.
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