Nelson Mandela responds to treatment: Presidency

South African former president Mandela was responding to medical treatment, the presidency website said on Wednesday.

"We are encouraged that Madiba is responding to treatment," President Zuma said after visiting Mandela in the evening, and the doctors told him the good news.

Zuma also urged the public to continue showing their support for Mandela and his family.

According to the report on New24, the biggest local news website, Mandela was conscious and recognized visitors on Wednesday.

King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, Mandela's nephew, visited Medi- clinic Heart Hospital on Wednesday, and told media that "he could not talk, but he recognized me and made a few gestures of acknowledgment, liking moving his eyes."

He also mentioned his uncle was attached to lots of tubes, and assisted by medical equipment.

Mandela, aged 95 next month, was sent to a Pretoria hospital for a serious condition of recurring lung infection on June 8.