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Mandela in hospital 'for routine tests'

27 January 2011

Nelson Mandela was admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon for what his foundation described as routine tests – sparking much activity among local and international journalists and on social networking websites.

"We can confirm that Mr Mandela is at Milpark hospital undergoing routine tests," the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement. "He is in no danger and is in good spirits."

Various family members and top African National Congress (ANC) officials have been to the hospital, including Mandela former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, and long-time family friend Jeff Radebe.

Local and international media have been camped outside the hospital awaiting news of how he is doing. Social networking sites have also been abuzz.

'Let's not press panic buttons'

The ANC has called on South Africans to remain calm. "Please, let's not press panic buttons unnecessarily," ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu told the eNews television channel on Thursday morning.

In a statement, the ruling party also called on the media to stop speculating about Mandela's health, and to allow the family privacy.

"It is a well-known fact that Madiba is 92 years old and no longer a young man," Mthembu said, adding that South Africans should allow doctors at the hospital to do their best in conducting tests on the elder statesman.

"We appeal, particularly to the media fraternity to refrain from making unfounded and unwarranted speculation in relation to Madiba's health," Mthembu said.

Speaking to journalists in Cape Town on Tuesday, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu described Mandela as "all right" but "frail". "I saw him last week," Tutu was quoted as saying. "He was all right; I mean he's 92, man ... And he's frail."

'Dear Madiba – please get well'

Children from the McAuley House Catholic Independent Day School, located near the hospital, spent their Thursday morning drawing up placards bearing messages for Mandela and hanging them up outside the school.

Reitumetse Sekoapi, an 11-year-old Grade 6 pupil, told BuaNews: "He is a very good leader, and we thank him for bringing justice to our country. We want him to get well."

A Grade 4 teacher at the school, Diedre Axford, said that by the time the pupils got to school on Thursday they had already heard the news that Mandela was in hospital.

"It was the school's idea to do something for Madiba," said Axford, as she helped children put up their posters.

Some posters bore the handprints of the children, who had signed their names on the placards, while others simply had "Get well soon Madiba!" messages.

Source: BuaNews