Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo on Tuesday added his voice to the international chorus wishing former South African president Nelson Mandela well.

The 94-year-old statesman remains at a Pretoria hospital, where he is receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection.

He also underwent surgery to remove gallstones last week.

Mandela was admitted to hospital on 8 December. It is not clear at this stage when Madiba will be discharged.

President Jacob Zuma visited him yesterday and said that he was in high spirits.

Presidency spokesman Harold Maloka also said the Mandela family was highly appreciative of the support South Africans had shown since Madiba's hospitalisation.

Papo confirmed that Mandela's health was improving.

“He is receiving care and responding to it well.

“We wish him well and we wish him a speedy recovery so that he can continue to be an inspiration to all South Africans and all generations to come.”

As the country's first democratic president, Mandela played a key role in negotiating equal opportunities for all South Africans and his humanitarian efforts have gained him worldwide acclaim.