Churches Hold Prayers For Ailing Nelson Mandela

Churches across South Africa have held prayers for Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital for four days being treated for pneumonia.

Several hundred people gathered at the Regina Mundi church in Soweto - once a focal point of the struggle against apartheid.

Mr Mandela, 94, had a "restful day and continues to receive treatment", a statement from the presidency said.

Doctors had reported a further improvement in his condition, it added.

There are no details yet on how long he will remain in hospital.

On Saturday, President Jacob Zuma's office announced that the former leader was breathing without difficulty.

It said excess fluid had been drained from his lungs to ease his breathing.

After Mr Mandela was admitted to hospital late on Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma said people "must not panic".

In his statement released on Sunday evening, Mr Zuma thanked "the thousands of South Africans who prayed for Madiba at various Easter church services".

Madiba is Mandela's clan name and is widely used to refer to him.

One service, at Midvaal, south of Johannesburg, was attended by a grand-daughter of the former leader, Ndileka Mandela.