By Ed Stoddard & Pascal Fletcher

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital since early June with a lung infection, is showing “great resilience” although he remains in a critical but stable condition, the presidency said on Saturday.

“While at times, his condition becomes unstable, the doctors indicate that the former president has demonstrated great resilience and his condition tends to stabilize as a result of medical interventions,” it said in its latest update on the condition of the 95-year-old anti-apartheid hero.

“Doctors are still working hard to effect a turnaround and a further improvement in his health and to keep the former president comfortable,” the presidency added in the statement.

It was the first update in almost two weeks on the health of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. News of his hospitalization in June with a recurring lung infection attracted worldwide attention for the revered statesman, who is admired as a symbol of struggle against injustice and of racial reconciliation.

Mandela celebrated his 95th birthday in hospital on July 18, showered with tributes from around the world.

He spent nearly three decades in prison before being released and being elected South Africa’s first black president in multi-racial elections in 1994 that ended apartheid rule.

Read More South Africa says Mandela showing ‘great resilience’, still critical | Reuters.