Well-wishers arrive with banners outside a Pretoria hospital where former President Nelson Mandela is being treated, June 25, 2013. Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital after being admitted more than two weeks ago with a lung infection, the government said on Tuesday. [Photo/Agencies]

PRETORIA - As the ailing 94-year-old former South African president Nelson Mandela remains in a critical condition, S. African residents expressed their worries about his condition and continued to prey for his health.

"I would prefer to die, rather than he does," a South African resident said on Tuesday.

"Mandela's condition has been worsening in recent days, we are very worried for him," said the Johannesburg businessman Albert Khoza beside the main entrance of the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.

Mandela is spending his 18th day inside the hospital following being admitted here for receiving the urgent treatment with the serious recurring lung infection on June 8.

On Sunday evening the Presidency announced that  Mandela's condition had deteriorated over the past 24 hours and he was now critical.  

Khoza said he has a deep love for Mandela and the whole nation has a deep love for him.

"We are now enjoying the freedom, like making money, shopping and living. We are free to do anything in our country," he said.

"This should be attributed to the Mandela's efforts in dozens of years  to end the apartheid in South Africa,"added Khoza.

"Mandela gives us a new life, we would like to do anything for him, even sacrificing our lives if he could live as long as possible," Khoza said.

Updating the information on the health of Mandela on Tuesday afternoon, the Presidency said Mandela's condition remained unchanged and doctors were continuing to do their best to ensure his recovery.