Former South African president Nelson Mandela, 92, was hospitalized to undergo routine medical tests, reviving concerns about the health of the fragile symbol of the struggle against apartheid. Mandela admitted on Wednesday night at a Johannesburg hospital for what his foundation described as routine tests, but the station Talk Radio 702 reported that the former president had been examined by a lung specialist treating the respiratory system.
President Jacob Zuma and the ruling party African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday appealed for calm after the news of the hospitalization sparked widespread speculation in local media about Mandela's health. "President Mandela is comfortable and well cared for by a good team of doctors," Zuma said in a statement.
The ANC said there is no reason to panic. ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said that Mandela is 92 years old and have conditions associated with age and the fact that she spent the night (in hospital) should not suggest the worst. " "We urge people not to make unfounded claims, keep calm and not get into panic because there is no reason to do so," he added.
Mandela has not been seen in public since the World Cup final in July last year. The police had to intervene to control the traffic in the Milpark hospital, located in a suburb of Johannesburg, while many journalists, photographers and television cameras gathered at the institution. Several members of the Mandela family, including his wife Graeca Machel visited the hospital after admission.
Mandela retired from public life in June 2004 before the age of 86 years, telling his beloved countrymen: "Do not call me, I'll call." Since then he has appeared in public rarely, and when it has, it has been increasingly fragile. In addition to the World Cup, Mandela attended a couple of demonstrations of the ANC before the 2009 general elections.
Mandela was treated in the 1980 TB and then had surgery on his eyes. In 2001, he was treated for prostate cancer. South African Bishop and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu Peace said that last week visited the former president. "It was good, I mean, is 92 years old, you know. And it is fragile," he said.
Mandela, known in his country by his clan name, Madiba, had been vacationing with his wife, local media reported. This month, the CNA said that Twitter wanted to take action after the wide dissemination in the network an incorrect story about the death of Mandela. Nelson Mandela Foundation declined to comment on his health, but said in a previous statement: "It is not in danger and in a good mood." According to the website Trendistic, http://trendistic.
com/mandela/t24-hours, which follows the trend in Twitter, the use of the word "Mandela" has increased substantially over the past 24 hours. The South Africans also used the social networking site Facebook to express their concern. "All the best wishes to you!, I hope your father is right!" Wrote one person on the Facebook wall Mandela's daughter, Zinzi. 
President Jacob Zuma and the ruling party African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday appealed for calm after the news of the hospitalization sparked widespread speculation in local media about Mandela's health. "President Mandela is comfortable and well cared for by a good team of doctors," Zuma said in a statement.
The ANC said there is no reason to panic. ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said that Mandela is 92 years old and have conditions associated with age and the fact that she spent the night (in hospital) should not suggest the worst. " "We urge people not to make unfounded claims, keep calm and not get into panic because there is no reason to do so," he added.
Mandela has not been seen in public since the World Cup final in July last year. The police had to intervene to control the traffic in the Milpark hospital, located in a suburb of Johannesburg, while many journalists, photographers and television cameras gathered at the institution. Several members of the Mandela family, including his wife Graeca Machel visited the hospital after admission.
Mandela retired from public life in June 2004 before the age of 86 years, telling his beloved countrymen: "Do not call me, I'll call." Since then he has appeared in public rarely, and when it has, it has been increasingly fragile. In addition to the World Cup, Mandela attended a couple of demonstrations of the ANC before the 2009 general elections.
Mandela was treated in the 1980 TB and then had surgery on his eyes. In 2001, he was treated for prostate cancer. South African Bishop and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu Peace said that last week visited the former president. "It was good, I mean, is 92 years old, you know. And it is fragile," he said.
Mandela, known in his country by his clan name, Madiba, had been vacationing with his wife, local media reported. This month, the CNA said that Twitter wanted to take action after the wide dissemination in the network an incorrect story about the death of Mandela. Nelson Mandela Foundation declined to comment on his health, but said in a previous statement: "It is not in danger and in a good mood." According to the website Trendistic, http://trendistic.
com/mandela/t24-hours, which follows the trend in Twitter, the use of the word "Mandela" has increased substantially over the past 24 hours. The South Africans also used the social networking site Facebook to express their concern. "All the best wishes to you!, I hope your father is right!" Wrote one person on the Facebook wall Mandela's daughter, Zinzi.
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