Global icon Nelson Mandela has spent his first night in almost three months at his home in Johannesburg after being discharged from hospital in Pretoria.

The former South African president, 95, was admitted in early June for a recurring lung infection. His condition remains critical, prompting speculations that his doctors may have tactfully surrendered to the reality of his imminent end and wants him to spend his remaining days amidst family and friends rather than in a cold hospital ward.

Even so, reports say family members have spoken of their happiness at having Mandela home again for the first time since June 8 even as the South African Government has said his condition remains critical and can sometimes be unstable.

“It is a day of celebration for us, that he is finally back home with us,” said his grandson, Mandla Mandela.

His transfer is presumably in line with his family’s wishes.

Mandela returned home by ambulance early yesterday and would continue to receive intensive care there, a statement from the South African Presidency said.

His suburban house in the suburb of Houghton has been “reconfigured” for his care but the presidency said he would be readmitted to hospital should his condition warrant it.

Mandela’s lung condition is said to result from the tuberculosis he contracted during the 27 years he spent in prison for taking up arms against white minority rule.

He has been admitted to hospital four times in the past year and his latest stay lasted 84 days.

He became president after 1994 elections – the first time black South Africans were allowed to vote - and he stepped down five years later.

•Photo courtesy of SAPA shows flowers left by admirers outside Mandela's home during his stay in hospital.