Nelson Mandela was "responding well to treatment" for a recurrent lung infection on the sixth day of hospitalisation, as the South African Cabinet today wished the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon a speedy recovery.

A day after President Jacob Zuma told a jittery nation that Madiba (Mandala's clan name) was responding better to treatment, cabinet ministers in a statement wished the revered leader a quick recovery, saying they were "pleased that he is responding well to treatment".

The former president spent his sixth day in the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria suffering from a recurrent lung infection. This was his fourth hospitalisation since December. Zuma yesterday told Parliament, "I am happy to report that Madiba is responding better to treatment from this morning." "We are very happy with the progress that he is now making, following a difficult last few days," he had said.