Nelson Mandela's condition has worsened to critical

For The first time since he was admitted to hospital with lung infection former South Africa  president Nelson Mandela’s condition has been  described as critical.

President Jacob Zuma who  visited Mr Mandela’s doctors and wife Graca Machel, said that the former president’s health had deteriorated over the past 24 hours.

He however said his doctors were still “doing everything possible” to try to improve his situation.

 This comes against comments from Mandela's family who suggested  that Mr Mandela’s health was improving.

However, the announcement of the downturn sparked deep concern among South Africans that the end could be drawing near for the country’s first black president, who led the country from apartheid to democracy 20 years ago.

“The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands,” Mr Zuma said in a statement, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name.

  Zuma therefore appealed for the nation and the rest of the world to pray for Mr Mandela, whose last public appearance was at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Mr Mandela is understood to have become increasingly weak and unresponsive and his family have been told to prepare for the worst.