Nelson Mandela Still In Critical Condition South Africa's leader says doctors are doing everything they can for Mr Mandela, as family members meet to discuss his condition.

Nelson Mandela has been in hospital in Pretoria since June 8

Members of Nelson Mandela's family have met tribal leaders in his home village to discuss his seriously ill health.

The former South African leader remains in a critical condition in hospital in Pretoria after he took a turn for the worse over the weekend, the country's President Jacob Zuma said in his latest statement.

Mr Zuma said: "We must support him and support his family.

"We must demonstrate our love and appreciation for his leadership during the struggle for liberation and in our first few years of freedom and democracy by living out his legacy and promoting unity, non-racialism, non-sexism and prosperity in our country."Mr Zuma visited Mr Mandela in hospital in Pretoria on Monday evening

Sky's Alex Crawford said elders in the village of Qunu had been briefed on Mr Mandela's condition, and that they had been told he was no longer breathing on his own.

His family described the 94-year-old's condition as "at its worst", Crawford said.

The anti-apartheid leader has been in intensive care since he was last admitted to hospital on June 8 for a recurring lung infection.

His wife, Graca Machel, has been by her husband's bedside since he was taken ill.Children have been sending 'get well soon' messages to Mr Mandela

He has suffered repeated bouts of illness in recent months and has been admitted to hospital four times since December.

Mr Zuma, who has been giving regular public updates on the ex-leader’s condition, has urged people to give Mr Mandela's family privacy.

Mr Mandela played a leading role in steering South Africa from the apartheid era to democracy, becoming the country's first black president in all-race elections in 1994.

US President Barack Obama is due to visit South Africa this week.