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The world pays tribute to Mandela (slideshow)
As South Africans come to terms with the loss of former president Nelson Mandela, the rest of the world bids farewell to Madiba.

Pimples: Saving Madiba's rabbit (video)
Gwede, Mac and Blade try their best to stop the rabbit from whispering in Mandela's ear. But the elusive animal has some tricks up its sleeve.

Zapiro's best Madiba cartoons (slideshow)
From his toughest moments to his most triumphant, Madiba has been an inspiration. Here are some of our favourite Zapiro cartoons about him from 1994 to 2013.

Mandela: SA's greatest son laid to rest (slideshow)
The world watched as Nelson Mandela was finally laid to rest in his hometown of Qunu following a dignified and moving funeral ceremony on Sunday.
26 Jun 2013 22:09 - Deshnee SubramanySarah Evans
Maharaj won't comment on Mandela life support reports
CNN and Citizen report Nelson Mandela is on life support, and Mac Maharaj says commenting on the matter would break doctor/patient confidentiality.
Nelson Mandela is pictured at his hotel in central London on June 24 2008. Mandela arrived in Britain ahead of a 90th birthday concert in his honour in London's Hyde Park.
Nelson Mandela is pictured at his hotel in central London on June 24 2008. Mandela arrived in Britain ahead of a 90th birthday concert in his honour in London's Hyde Park.

US news channel CNN late on Wednesday night reported that an official "who had been briefed in detail on [Nelson Mandela's] condition" revealed that the former president was on life support. 

Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj would not confirm or deny the report to the Mail & Guardian.

"I can't comment on that. What I can repeat is that, based on doctor's advice, we have been informed that Mr Mandela's situation has turned critical, and it remains critical. And we have explained that we don't go into any of the clinical details," Maharaj said. 

He reiterated that doing so would be breaking doctor-patient confidentiality. 

"We appeal to the media that they should not become party to the breaking of that ethical rule," Maharaj said. 

On Monday, President Jacob Zuma held a briefing attended by editors during which Maharaj lambasted journalists for their questioning of doctors around Madiba's health.

Along with allegations of life support, the Citizen reported on Wednesday that Mandela was also suffering from kidney failure and was undergoing dialysis for three hours every second day.

Meanwhile, reports on Tuesday said elders at the Qunu community, where Mandela is from, were briefed on news about Mandela. 

But family friend Bantu Holomisa stressed that the meeting did not reveal any more details about the former statesman's condition.

On Sunday, the presidency broke the news that the former president was critically ill after being in hospital with a recurring lung infection since June 8.

Meanwhile, Eyewitness News tweeted on Wednesday night that President Jacob Zuma was photographed leaving the hospital in Pretoria where Mandela is admitted.