First pictures in nine months show Nelson Mandela, 94, looking thin but sitting up and in ‘good spirits’

Nelson Mandela is 'in good shape' and 'good spirits', South African president Jacob Zuma said today.

He spoke as the first footage emerged of the 94-year-old former president since he left hospital on April 6 after suffering from pneumonia.

He spent 10 days in hospital being treated for the illness, which followed an earlier hospitalisation in December when he developed a lung infection and gallstones.

                               Recovering: Nelson Mandela was said to be in 'good spirits' but appeared expressionless on camera

It is the first public image of him since Hillary Clinton visited in her role as US secretary of state in August.

Mandela - also known as Madiba in South Africa - appears to be virtually expressionless and does not seem to react to those around him.