In PHOTOS: South Africa prays for 'beloved' Madiba

Former South African President Nelson Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital.

President Jacob Zuma announced that doctors were doing everything they could to make the former leader comfortable, but he could not give any more medical details.

South Africa's first black president, 94, was taken to hospital in Pretoria earlier this month for the third time this year, with a lung infection.

A senior official said South Africans should not hold out "false hopes".

"All of us in the country should accept the fact that Madiba [Nelson Mandela's clan name] is now old. As he ages, his health will... trouble him and I think what we need to do as a country is to pray for him."

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Children in the Alexandra Township stand next to a mural of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa

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A supporter of former South African President Nelson Mandela shows off his picture pasted on a bible in Pretoria

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A child holds a card, with a message of support written in it, for former South African President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg

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A child places messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela outside his house in Johannesburg

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A pastor prays in front of a poster with "Get well" messages outside a hospital where former South African President Nelson Mandela is being treated

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Children from a school in Johannesburg show off a placard wishing former South African president Nelson Mandela a speedy recovery

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A statue of Nelson Mandela stands outside the gates of Drakenstein Correctional Centre (formerly Victor Verster Prison), near Paarl in Western Cape province

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