Celebrations across South Africa for Mandela's 95th birthday as it is confirmed his health is improving

Dozens of family members visited Nelson Mandela in hospital yesterday as South Africa celebrated the former president's 95th birthday.

Family members and friends visited Nelson Mandela in hospital yesterday as South Africa celebrated the former president's 95th birthday. His former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, right, waves to the well wishers at the hospital

The iconic leader's grandchildren and former wife Winnie were all pictured arriving at Mediclinic Heart Hospital where he is being treated for a lung infection.

It came as doctors reported that Mandela was 'steadily improving' from the six-week illness which has left him in a critical condition.

Schoolchildren waited to sing Happy Birthday to the iconic leader outside the hospital. Doctors yesterday said his health is 'steadily improving'

The mood was one of celebration today as thousands of South Africans sang 'Happy Birthday' and took part in charitable initiatives in a global outpouring of support on U.N.-designated 'Nelson Mandela Day'. 

Mandela still in hospital

Nelson Mandela remains in hospital where he is receiving treatment for a recurrence of pneumonia.

The former South African president was admitted to a hospital in the capital, Pretoria, near midnight on Wednesday.

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said there had been no updates on the 94-year-old since an official statement on Saturday on his condition.That reported the anti-apartheid leader was breathing without difficulty after having a procedure to clear fluid in his lung area.

It was his third trip to hospital since December, when he was treated for a lung infection and had a procedure to remove gallstones.Earlier in March, he spent a night in a hospital for what officials said was a scheduled medical test.

Nelson Mandela back in hospital

Former South African President Nelson Mandela has been admitted to hospital with a recurrence of a lung infection, the government said today.

A statement said the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader was admitted shortly before midnight. It gave no further details other than to say he was receiving the "best possible expert medical treatment and comfort".Mandela was admitted briefly to hospital earlier this month for a check up.However, he spent nearly three weeks in hospital in December with a lung infection and after surgery to remove gallstones.It was his longest stay in hospital since his release from prison in 1990 after serving 27 years for conspiring to overthrow the white-minority apartheid government.