Prayer vigil for Nelson Mandela after condition improves

South Africans have been holding an all-night prayer vigil for former President Nelson Mandela, outside his former home in Soweto.

The crowd have been singing and saying prayers for Mr Mandela's health, on what is now his 20th night in hospital.

South Africa's first black president - an icon of the anti-apartheid struggle - is suffering from a lung infection.

President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday that the 94-year-old's condition had improved, but still remained critical.

"He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night," Mr Zuma said after speaking to Mr Mandela's medical team.

Mr Zuma cancelled a visit to Mozambique to visit Mr Mandela in hospital.

Meanwhile Mr Mandela's daughter Makaziwe said he was "still there" and responding to touch.

But she accused some journalists of being like vultures, waiting for her father to die.

Sadly but true. She is correct. Journalists lives for breaking news. I have therefore decided if Madiba passes on, I won't report the story until some hours later.

We all pray for him to recover and continue to be our father. But at 94 years, he has lived well.