Family joyous after Mandela is discharged

The former South African president Nelson Mandela was discharged from hospital yesterday after receiving treatment for an acute respiratory infection.

Officials said that the 92-year-old had joked with his wife and nurses, and was handling the "difficulties of old age with the greatest of grace".

Vejaynand Ramlakan, the country's Surgeon-General, said the former leader would receive further care at home after his 48-hour stay at Johannesburg's Milpark Hospital. He added that Mr Mandela was in a stable condition and had not been on a respirator.

"It comes to us this afternoon with great joy to hear that he's been discharged," Mr Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, told reporters.