Nelson Mandela update: Critical, as South Africa’s President Zuma cancels trip

Nelson Mandela’s medical condition is so poor that the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, felt compelled to cancel his trip to Mozambique.

Mr. Zuma first visited Mr. Mandela in the hospital, and “found him to be still in a critical condition,” he said, via an official statement from his office, Sky News reported.

Mr. Mandela, the former president, is not able to breathe without assistance any more, hospital officials said. His granddaughter, Ndileka, issued a thank you for “everybody for giving us support and praying with us,” adding that “we are anxious,” Sky News said.

The anti-apartheid leader is 94 years old. He’s been in a Pretoria hospital for 19 days so far for treatment of a recurring lung infection, and his prognosis isn’t good.

A correspondent for Sky News said tribal leaders are preparing for his death — and those preparations came on the advice of Mr. Mandela’s family members.