JOHANNESBURG – Former president Nelson Mandela is on the road to recovery at an unspecified hospital, the Presidency said on Thursday.
The 94-year-old was admitted for a recurring lung infection late on Wednesday evening.
His hospitalisation comes just a month after spending a day in hospital for a routine check-up, raising public concerns.
Presidency Spokesperson Mac Maharaj said Madiba is recovering.
“We also want to give him a little bit of space because they [the Mandela family] too are going through difficult times given his age and given the fact that he’s been in hospital in March, and then again in December.”
Messages of support continue to pour in for the former statesman.
Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson Mmusi Maimane said South Africans always get concerned when Mandela is not well.
He wished Madiba a speedy recovery.
“Any news that he’s gone into hospital always raises concerns,” Maimane added.
At the same time, United States (US) President Barack Obama has wished Madiba well.
He described Mandela as an inspiration in both his private and public life, as well as for his wife Michelle.
“We all recognise that he has given everything to the people of South Africa. He has ended up being an inspiration to all of us. When you think of a single individual that embodies the kind of leadership qualities that we all aspire to, the first name that comes up is Nelson Mandela. We wish him all the very best."