Thabo Mbeki, who succeeded Mandela as president in 1999, made the comment Thursday night in an interview with Power FM, a South African radio station.
Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who spent 27 years in prison during white racist rule, was taken to a hospital on June 8 to be treated for a recurring lung infection. The government had described his condition as serious but stable, and later said the 94-year-old Mandela was improving.
Mbeki, who served two 5-year terms as president, says he has stayed in close contact with Mandela’s family and doctors.
READ MORE
Clashes lead South Africa to withdraw asylum processing order
Gunmen kill 11 in South African township
South Africa's xenophobic resurgence is a test of our collective conscience
South Africa police bust major drugs lab, arrest two Mexicans
