Nelson Mandela is on life support, unable to breathe on his own, an elder in the South African icon's clan said Wednesday, all but extinguishing hopes for the Anti-apartheid hero's recovery.

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Nelson Mandela is on life support, unable to breathe on his own, an elder in the South African icon's clan said Wednesday, all but extinguishing hopes for the Anti-apartheid hero's recovery. (Getty Images)

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"Yes, he is using machines to breathe," Napilisi Mandela told AFP after visit the much-loved 94 year old's bedside. "It is bad, but what can we do," added the elder who usually presides over family rituals and meetings. (Getty Images)

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Mandela -- whose 95th birthday is on July 18 -- has been hospitalised four times since December, mostly for a recurring lung infection dating back to his time in jail for sabotage against the apartheid government. (Getty Images)

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A man paints a picture as people gather to leave messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 26, 2013. (Getty Images)

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Children gather to leave messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 26, 2013. (Getty Images)

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People gather to leave messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 26, 2013. . (Getty Images)

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One of the dozens of hand-made messages of support for former South African President Nelson Mandela is posted to the wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 26, 2013. (Getty Images)

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Thirty six South African Police Academy trainees leave flowers for former South African President Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 26, 2013. (Getty Images)

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A man walks past a mural depicting different times in the life of former President Nelson Mandela near the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto Township in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Getty Images)

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Well-wishers from South Africa and the Bahamas stand with signs outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 26, 2013. (Getty Images)

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Nelson Mandela on life support

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Nelson Mandela on life support

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