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Updated at 12:09 a.m. ET: JOHANNESBURG -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela was hospitalized Saturday for a test to determine what is behind an undisclosed stomach ailment, and the country's current leader said the much beloved 93-year-old icon was in no danger.
Mandela, a Nobel peace laureate who spent 27 years in prison for fighting racist white rule, has officially retired and last appeared in public in July 2010. He became South Africa's first black president in 1994 and served one five-year term.
Mandela "has had a long-standing abdominal complaint and doctors feel it needs proper specialist medical attention," President Jacob Zuma said in a statement Saturday morning, asking that Mandela's privacy be respected.
In a follow-up statement later, Zuma added that Mandela had undergone a planned, undisclosed "diagnostic procedure."
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," Zuma said.
Zuma said Mandela was expected to be discharged from the hospital Sunday or Monday.
The statements did not say at which hospital Mandela was being treated, apparently to protect his privacy, but that did not stop journalists from camping out at a military hospital in the capital, Pretoria, on the chance he might be there. In 2011, Mandela spent a few days in a private Johannesburg hospital with an acute respiratory infection.
CLICK HERE FOR IMAGES FROM MANDELA'S LIFE
The South African military, which took charge of Mandela's health care after he was hospitalized last year, and a spokesman for Mandela's office said they would have no statement Saturday.
ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said Zuma's office also had reassured ANC officials.
Mandela "just had abdominal pains for some time now and the doctors decided a while ago that perhaps they should admit him, with a view to check those abdominal pains, so it wasn't an emergency admission," Khoza told reporters. "He's fine, he's in good health."
Well-wishers like Derek Kemper, a 47-year-old emergency services consultant, said they hoped Mandela would soon recover.
Kemper said he fought the ANC as a soldier for the apartheid state. On Saturday, Kemper was touring Soweto, the famed Johannesburg township set aside for blacks under apartheid and still largely black and poor, with a group of other whites. Kemper marveled at how far the country had come, and credited Mandela.
"He had the wisdom to try to reunite the country." Kemper said, speaking in front of a Soweto home where Mandela once lived that has been turned into a museum celebrating Mandela's life.
Kemper said he believed that even though Mandela has largely retired from public life, he has a moderating influence on younger black South Africans who may be impatient with the pace of change in a country where the black majority remains poor. Kemper said he worried about whether the commitment to reconciliation would outlive Mandela.
But Kefiloe Molepo, a 19-year-old student who grew up just around the corner from Mandela's home, said there was little cause for concern. Molepo, walking home from church, said he was raised on stories about Mandela, who he said was a friend of his great-grandfather.
"When he was set free, he didn't think of vengeance," Molepo said. "He wanted peace for the nation."
In 1993, after white extremists killed Chris Hani, a black leader who at the time was second only to Mandela in popularity, Mandela went on national television to call for calm. Mandela wrote later that he was among those who feared Hani's death would spark a race war, and his measured words were credited with averting further violence.
Today, white extremists have been largely sidelined. And black militants like Julius Malema, head of the ANC's youth wing, grab headlines but struggle to draw crowds.
Christian Bohm, a 32-year-old Swedish telecommunications company employee who was visiting the Mandela museum Saturday, said Mandela had set an example for the world for how leaders can pursue justice.
"South Africa is very privileged to have had such a leader," said Bohm, comparing Mandela to India's Mahatma Gandhi.
Hassan Burma was visiting Soweto from South Sudan, Africa's newest nation.
South Sudan broke away from Sudan last year, and its leaders must now cope with the devastation of decades of civil war. Burma said Mandela has shown Africa has different possibilities.
"What he did wasn't just for South Africa," Burma said. "It is for all the African nations."
Mandela's public appearances have become increasingly rare, though he did appear at the closing ceremony of the World Cup in July 2010. Mandela also held a private meeting with Michelle Obama when the U.S. first lady traveled to South Africa with her daughters last year.
Mandela has taken up permanent residence at his home in Qunu, in the southwestern region of South Africa where he was raised. Earlier this year, Mandela came to his Johannesburg home for what Zuma's office said would be a brief stay while maintenance was done at his Qunu home. Zuma's office said then that Mandela was in good health.
Mandela's last surviving sibling, a sister, died last month near Qunu. Makhulu Nothusile Bhulehluthi was 82. Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, their father, had several wives and 31 children.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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This is truly a great man. However, isn't he going on 200?
Ah what? You should maybe do a little research. He is none better than most and his corruption and mis-steps are numerous.
That would mean he's on his second bucket list..
We've all had many mis steps in our lives. I try to see with Mr. Mandela and everyone the overall general message and philosophy. I look up to his overall message and philosophy very much and am grateful that he is a fellow man. I wish him comfort, peace and the best as pertaining his health given the realities of his age.
mddr - facts please. Yes he did have some mis-steps while president of SA. How-ever, in general, he is truly a world statesman, venerated by the majority of people.
Reading is fundamental.
One of my all time favorite person, another would be Abe Lincoln. Hope ya feel better ol Nelson, we are rootin for ya...
I hope he is ok. Mr. Mandela is the second most respected person in the world.
um - who is the first?
Well, according to a poll of British people, you know, Britain, America's closest ally, President Obama is the person they respect the most.
the media in england must be telling fairy tales about obama like they are here. well, at least they're consistent.
That's right, kiki, if most of the people in the world like the guy they must all be stupid, because YOU hate him and YOU can't be wrong.
Obama, the first person people respect the most? EWWW. What are you smoking Leroy?
I didn't conduct the poll Rad. Here are the ten most respected people in the world as chosen by the citizens of England:
10 Sir Michael Parkinson
9 Dame Judi Dench
8 Sir Alan Sugar
7 Phillip Schofield
6 J K Rowling OBE
5 Sir Terry Wogan
4 Sir Richard Branson
3 Jane Goody
2 Nelson Mandela
1 Barack Obama
What do right wing nuts know about the world? nothing. They're morons. Yes, unlike your moron Bush, "Obama" is the first person people respect the most !
I would have to wonder if they actually took a poll or made it up like they do everything else?
He should get beter soon...This is the Father of Africa....I Respect and adore him...
The Father of Africa? Really now. Are you aware of the "Genocide" "Fertilization" Rampant HIV Pnademic and the Poorest wrok condition? the Gold and Diamond Slave Trade. The "Father of Africa" was in the middle of all this and never, never changed anything. He got his mythology given to him by NATO.
Here's some "Breaking News"..Nobody gives a chit!!!
Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest men in modern times......alot of people are wishing him well, and also that you give up drinking.
He's an commie holdover. Theyb should have let him rot in prison.
"Peter Harp" - Such a nasty remark--it must be difficult to hold such contempt from 'commie times', inside for so long; lest it pour out this way! Such a means of self-expression! To each his own, but remarkably, pitiful!
Peter Harp, U need to get out of your mountain hideout and see the world sometime. Some history lessons would do good for u too. Mandela was and still is a good respected man. What would come of u if u spend 27 years in prison for your believe of freedom.
@ Eric jus so u havent noticed but i give a chit thank u very much
Qunu is in southeastern South Africa.
Mr. Mandela is a great person and role model. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he sees his 100th birthday in good health.
God speed get well soon Mr Mandela!
I just cant help but but wonder how many people who adore the former president has been to South Africa to see what SH%^t hole he and his cronies turned it into. You want to praise the father of Africa look up Archbishop Desmond tutu. But like all true great men he Does not care about fame or fortune. I do home good health for the president just like everybody else
For the record Andrea, I have been going to South Africa every year and will be moving there next year.
I have a permanent visa.
I agree that Archbishop Tutu is also a great man, but he had the backing of a church and was insulated by same.
The measure of a great person is what were their beginnings and how different is the ending. HOW FAR DID ONE TRAVEL FROM THEIR ROOTS TO BECOME THE GREAT PERSON THEY NOW ARE! IT IS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT JOURNEY WHEN THOSE TWO POINTS ARE FARTHER APART AND ONE HAS THE BACKING OF PERSONS WHO HAVE POLAR OPPOSITE VIEWS.
We all make mistakes but how much have we inspired others and how far have we come?
I also agree that South Africa has a long way to go, but in the 13 years I have been traveling and living there, a lot of progress has been made, but with a long way to go.
With Mr. Mandela as a role model, the country can succeed.
ONE ONLY NEEDS TO INSPIRE WITH ONE GREAT QUALITY NOT BE PERFECT. Mr. Mandela is not perfect and has never said he was.
Mandela has the "Christ" living in him.
See Hanna..A car bomb in Yemen is the "Breaking News" now..Told ya nobody cared..Not important to life in America..Or in your case, the lack thereof!
One reason America has problems is because of how insular so many Americans are, how so many Americans care only for what is directly in front of them and are incapable of contemplating another's life. It is this type of ignorance of the world that causes the citizens of other countries to lose respect for us and that causes us to make poor decisions as a nation. If Mandela had acted in a Bush like animalistic non-intellectual manner to apartheid and the ending of apartheid, South Africa would probably still be fighting a civil war. Every citizen of that country is in debt to him and his colleagues for that single decision. Any person who has ever been mistreated by an entity of power understands how amazing that decision was.
apparently a lot of you have forgotten about Mandelas path to power or choose to ignore or pretend it never happened. He supported change by killing white people in south africa, even encouraged it. To hell with him
and you are complaining why? if someone was killing and/or enslaving you would you not do the same?
Tom - the apartheid era government killed thousands with their brutal policies. Mandela was a late comer to Mkhonto We Sizwe, having favored peaceful tactics. the brutal crackdowns on the ANC, Communist Party and White progressives in the '50s left him with no choice.
tom 4269010 America also had civil war and slaves if history serves me right. And many got killed.
I wish President Mandela well. He is loved and respected by all who love freedom. And, yes, some of us do give a chit!
Not many people have the courage or spirit to take what he chose/given in life. Hats off.
Whew! What a re;ief! "There's no need to panic." After all, 93 year olds are admitted to hospitals all the time. My mother is elderly, and I don't expect her to live forever. Really? Such a big deal over nothing. This is no disrespect to Mandela. We are born, we live, we die. Life goes on. Until man destroys the planet.
to bw "what a re;ief"? sounds like you are wishing people dead. I agree with you that news of illness of a 93 year old should be no suprise (in fact it should be expected) a person's illness should never be considered as "nothing."
For those who don't care or are ignorant to this one persons will for his country.
Mandela's image should be the face of freedom worldwide.
Surviving is his mantra, he is a strong warrior.
Corrected post:
Whew! What a relief! "There's no need to panic." After all, 93 year olds are admitted to hospitals all the time. My mother is elderly, and I don't expect her to live forever. Really? Such a big deal over nothing. This is no disrespect to Mandela. We are born, we live, we die. Life goes on. Until man destroys the planet.
Do the world a favor and Die you communist bastard, die.
did your parents have any kids that live!
Hummmmmmmmmmmmm, James 1027754 must be a welfare puke with no class at all. lmao
Maxie7300 - another apartheid fan. Why don't you die! The world WILL be a better place without you!
Love and best wishes to Madiba for a speedy return to good health!
When one thinks about how many great men in history were treated-- Jesus, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King-- it does not surprise me much to read negative comments about another one of history's great men, Nelson Mandela.
He is an elderly man who spent 27 years of his life in prison and came out promoting reconciliation.
Maybe try this: If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.
Get Well Soon Mr Mandela w/ GOD Speed! The World Knows Your Accomplishment.
Mandela's image should be the face of freedom worldwide.
a great man,yes,but far from "snow-white" clean..(no pun intended)
maybe it's time he joins Gaddafi,Arafat and Saddam Hussein..some of his backers and mentors and take Ahmadinijad and Nasralla with him to make up the sextet..the world will then relax
MAXIE7300 when he does kick the bucket,he will be referred to as a martyr..no gain ..
SSDD...same .hit different day....
I just heard a person on a news program compare him to George Washington, a slave owning war hero.....not even close ma'am.
you can't compare what was done 250+ yrs by today's standards. would you have had slaves if you were wealthy? you can't definitively answer that question b/c you didn't live back then. different times, different beliefs. thank goodness for change.
p.s. mandela wasn't exactly an innocent.
You're right colocolo23 .... George Washington stayed married to the same woman until death.
Oh no. This guy is 93... sooner or later we're going to lose him. I'm sure doctors will do everything they can, but in a way all we can do is express our profound admiration and thanks.
Maybe we can all get lucky and complications will develop in the hospital. Maybe the idiots who respond negatively to my post will see the Wizard for a brain.
So anyone who disagrees with you is brainless Crazyson? Here, have a donut!
I'm fine with it if they give out donuts. MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm