South Africa's President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday said Nelson Mandela was in good health after having lunch with the revered leader at his rural homestead in Qunu ahead of his 94th birthday next week.
Zuma "found Madiba in good health and they had lunch together," said a statement from the presidency, referring to Mandela by his nickname.
The frail anti-apartheid icon was last seen in public during the closing ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg and has on different occassions been admitted to hospital for medical treatments.
"It was a delight to see him as always. I was particularly happy that I had an opportunity to give him good wishes for his upcoming birthday," said Zuma.
Next week the nation will mark Mandela's birthday.
Since last year, the revered statesman has been spending most of his time at his birth village, in the Eastern Cape province.
In May a smiling Mandela made a television appearance when he received a symbolic flame to mark the ruling ANC's centenary at his home.