Nelson Mandela Taken To Hospital With Stomach Complaint

Nelson Mandela Has Been Taken To Hospital

Former South African President Nelson Mandela was hospitalised with an abdominal complaint but is "not in danger" according to officials.

A statement released by current president, Jacob Zuma, said that Mandela had undergone a "diagnostic procedure" but was expected to be out of hospital in a few days.

The statement said: “Madiba [Mandela] is fine and fully conscious and the doctors are satisfied with his condition, which they say is consistent with his age.

"He was in good health before admission in hospital but doctors felt the complaint needed a thorough investigation. He underwent a diagnostic procedure as part of his ongoing medical management.

"We are happy that he is not in any danger and thank the doctors for their hard work and professionalism."

"He is receiving good medical care and is expected to be discharged from hospital either tomorrow or Monday," President Zuma said.

The Former South African President is 93 years old and has been suffering from ill health in recent years.

Zuma also requested Mandela's privacy be respected.

The African National Congress has said "not to panic" and that Mandela's admission into hospital was planned.

Although it is not known what hospital the former president is in, officials at the One Military hospital in Pretoria have said that Mandela is not being treated there, reports South African newspaper Times Live.

Sympathy has been pouring in on Twitter for the Nobel Peace Prize winner. Among the well-wishers, Peter Hain, Labour MP, and anti-apartheid campaigner tweeted a message of support for Mandela.

When the former South African president was hospitalised last year, suffering an acute respiratory infection, rumours about the state of Mandela's frail health exploded all over social networks.

The 93-year-old president makes few public appearances anymore. He was last seen in public at the football World Cup final hosted by South Africa in July 2010.

Mandela is considered a national hero for his fight against apartheid, which saw him jailed for 27 years. After his release in 1990 he became South Africa's first black president in 1994.

Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Frederik Willem de Klerk in 1993 for their work "for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa."

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