Presenting the Presidency's budget vote in Parliament in Cape Town, Zuma said he was happy with the progress that the 94-year-old elder statesman was making on his fifth day in a Pretoria hospital, where he was admitted on Saturday with a recurring lung infection.
"On this crucial historical anniversary," Zuma said - referring to the 49th anniversary of Mandela's sentencing to life imprisonment in 1964 - "our thoughts are with President Mandela and his family.
"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."
Since Mandela's hospitalisation, the Presidency has consistently described his condition as "serious but stable", and restricted visits to close family and relatives because he was in intensive care.
Local and international media houses have been camping outside Mandela's home in Johannesburg, while others have been stationed outside the hospital.
"We appreciate the messages of support from all over the world," Zuma said. "It is an honour for us as South Africans to share Madiba with the international community.
"We fully understand and appreciate the global interest in this world icon. We are so proud to call him our own.
"We urge South Africans and the international community to continue to keep President Mandela and the medical team in their thoughts and prayers."
Source: SAnews.gov.za
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