Nelson Mandela, South Africa's ailing former president, is not "doing well" but is continuing to put up a courageous fight from his "death bed", his family have said.

Two of Mr Mandela’s granddaughters and Bantu Holomisa, a close family friend, were among those seen entering the family house in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton this evening, along with military personnel responsible for the former president’s health, the Telegraph reports.

It has been reported that the 95-year-old’s ailing health has once again taken a turn for the worse.

Mr Mandela (95) is receiving medical care at home after he was discharged from hospital in September following treatment for a recurring lung infection.

Twenty-two doctors care for him at his home in a suburb of Johannesburg.

Makaziwe Mandela, his daughter, said: "Tata is still with us, strong, courageous. Even, for a lack of a better word . . . on his 'death bed' he is teaching us lessons; lessons in patience, in love, lessons of tolerance.

"Every moment I get with him I'm amazed.

"There are times where I have to pinch myself that I come from this man who is a fighter even though you can see he is struggling, but fighting spirit is still there with him."

His grandson, Ndaba Mandela, told the broadcaster SABC: "He is still with us although he is not doing well."

Mr Mandela spent almost three months in a hospital after being admitted in June, following another lung infection.

His lung problems date back to his time in prison, when he was diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis. Since June, the country's presidency has consistently described his condition as "critical but stable".

Last month, Mr Mandela's former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, said he was no longer talking "because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear [fluid from] the lungs". (© Daily Telegraph, London)

Josie Ensor

Josie Ensor

Irish Independent