Mandela continues to respond positively to treatment, says wife

Ailing 94-year-old former South African president Nelson Mandela "continues to respond positively to treatment", his wife Graca Michel has said.

"He continues to respond positively to treatment. I would say that today I'm less anxious than I was a week ago," Xinhua quoted Graca as telling the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Friday.

Her upbeat remarks came after President Jacob Zuma repeatedly said Mandela has been responding to treatment.

Zuma gave the updates after visiting Mandela for two consecutive days, on Wednesday and Thursday.

Mandela has spent over a month at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria after being rushed there with a serious recurring lung infection June 8.

Mandela suffered from tuberculosis while in prison for 27 years before the apartheid ended in 1994.

On July 18, Mandela will turn 95. Zuma said the country is preparing to celebrate the birthday, which is also Nelson Mandela International Day.

All South Africans have been urged to volunteer 67 minutes of their time on the day to help change their communities and South Africa for the better.