Madiba still in critical condition says Zuma

Johannesburg - Former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela was still in a critical condition in hospital on Wednesday afternoon, the country's current president Jacob Zuma said.

"As he remains in a critical condition in hospital we must keep him and the family in our thoughts and prayers every minute," he said to groans of despair from the audience at the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) conference in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.

Zuma led a song from the anti-apartheid struggle about Mandela and Oliver Tambo taking up arms.

He then sang "Awulethu' Mshini Wami" with delegates joining him.

After that he had a bite of cake on the stage and left.