Nelson Mandela not in pain, wife assures world

During a nearly one month battle for his life in hospital, ailing South African icon Nelson Mandela has occasionally been uncomfortable but has not been in pain, his wife Graca Machel said on Thursday.

‘Now it is about 25 days we have been in hospital,’ Machel said, giving thanks for the outpouring of well wishes from around the world for the Nobel peace laureate.

‘Madiba sometimes has been uncomfortable, but he has never been in pain,’ she said using Mandela's clan name.

The former president, who turns 95 later this month, was rushed to hospital on 8 June with a recurring lung infection.

He has since been on life support, but during the last week his condition is said to have stabilised.

‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,’ said Machel, launching the latest in a series of events to mark Mandela’s life. ‘The outpouring and humbling demonstrations of love, of care, of support, of hope are taken into our hearts every single day.’