Local reports coming from Pretoria, South Africa said that anti-apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela, can no longer breathe without a life support. The founding father of South Africa's multiracial democracy had been given medical aid in a hospital in Pretoria since Jun8 but his condition never improved since then.

In a report from South Africa's National News Agency, officials close to the family described Mr Mandela's condition as critical since Sunday. Early in Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma said that his condition remain unchanged. In fact, after visiting Mr Mandela, Mr Zuma canceled his trip to Mozambique for a supposedly summit on infrastructure investment.

In an interview with CNN, South African government spokesman Mac Maharaj said that medical authorities refused to give the full details about Mr Mandela's condition because of doctor-patient confidentiality rules. In a statement from local authorities released on late Tuesday, all they can say was that the attending doctors "continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort."

Outside the hospital, grieving South Africans lit candles to pray for their hero. They hung balloons, put stuffed animals and wrote well-wishing messages to banners while singing a song called "Where is Mandela." As a means of protection, police barricaded the streets leading to the hospital.

One banner read, "We need you!" Another banner sweetly used the Xhosa word for father in referring to Mr Mandela, "We love you Tata, get well soon." Another supporter wrote his message on a big stone, "Sending you light and love."

To acknowledge all the heartwarming support, members of the family went outside and speak with the supporters.

Kuda Nyahumzvi said, "He is our hero. He is my mentor, my father. He is everything to me. But when it is his time, we wish his soul could just rest. He spent so long in jail and struggling."

David Manaway, Mr Mandela's grandson-in-law said, "He's going to feel a lot better when he sees these signs."

In a report from South African Association, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba stopped by the hospital and lead prayers calling for "a quiet night and a peaceful, perfect end."

The Archbishop also joined the family inside the hospital for a prayer. A copy of the prayer posted on the bishop's website went, "Fill them with Your holy courage and the gift of trusting faith, and take away their fears so that they may dare to face their grief. And uphold all of us with your steadfast love so that we may be filled with gratitude for all the good that he has done for us and for our nation, and may honor his legacy through our lives."

According to some reports, family members had also been conducting meeting in Mr Mandela's home in Qunu. The home in Qunu was where he spent most of his childhood days.

A friend with the family, Bantu Holomisa, told local press that that was not talking about funeral arrangements. Mr Mandela is a former head of state and funeral arrangements were to be spearheaded by the government.

The whole word still waits if Mr Mandela could still celebrate his 95th birthday coming in July.