Mandela remains in serious condition

South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela has been undergoing treatment for nearly a week for a recurring lung infection.

There was no immediate word on his condition, though the government said late Thursday he was improving though remained in serious condition.

At Mandela’s childhood school in Qunu, school children in bright blue uniforms sang in his honour. Others have gathered to pray outside the Pretoria hospital where he is staying.

The leader of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, Mandela spent 27 years in prison during white racist rule. He was freed in 1990 and became South Africa’s first black president in 1994.

– AP