Nelson Mandela Discharged From Hospital

South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was Sunday discharged from hospital where he has been treated since June 8 for a recurring respiratory illness, the presidency said.

Despite his discharge, questions remain about the health of the 95-year-old Nobel laureate who has been in and out of hospital for a year and who, the presidency said, remains in "critical" condition.

"Former President Nelson Mandela has this morning, 1 September 2013, been discharged from the Pretoria hospital where he has been receiving treatment," said a statement from the presidency.

It is said his condition "remains critical and is at times unstable."

An ambulance with police escort was seen arriving at his suburban home, north of Johannesburg, shortly after 0900 GMT.

Officials said Mandela will receive the same intensive care from his Johannesburg home.

"If there are health conditions that warrant another admission to hospital in future, this will be done," the presidency said.

President Jacob Zuma's office said the elderly statesman has been treated by "a large medical team from the military, academia, private sector and other public health spheres."

Since his admission, South Africans have been united in prayer for a speedy recovery of the country's first black president.
Global leaders and local politicians have also been sending him messages of support during his lengthy treatement at a private hospital in the capital Pretoria.

Mandela has faced several health scares in recent years and his lung problems date back to his 27 years in apartheid jail.

Madiba, his clan name by which he is lovingly known in the country, has been in and out of hospital since last year, with lung related complications.

"Despite the difficulties imposed by his various illnesses, he, as always, displays immense grace and fortitude," according to Zuma's office.