Former South African president Nelson Mandela is still unable to speak but uses facial expressions to communicate, his ex-wife has told a local newspaper.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said the 95-year-old remained "quite ill" but she dismissed speculation that he was on a life support machine.
In September Mr Mandela returned home after nearly three months in hospital with a recurring lung infection.
The government has said his condition is critical and sometimes unstable.