Nelson Mandela admitted to hospital

Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk after the presidential inauguration on May 10, 1994
Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk after the presidential inauguration on May 10, 1994
© REUTERS PHOTOGRAPHER / REUTERS

Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid icon and former President of South Africa, has been admitted to hospital.

It was announced this afternoon that Mr Mandela, 94, had been taken to a medical centre in Pretoria for tests “consistent with his old age”.

He was “doing well and there is no cause for alarm”, the office of President Zuma said.

“Former President Nelson Mandela has today, 8 December 2012, been admitted to hospital in Pretoria to undergo tests,” the official statement read.

“Mr Mandela will receive medical attention from time to time which is consistent with his age. President Zuma assures all that Madiba is doing well and there is no cause for alarm.”

Mr Mandela’s medical team were also assured in the statement of “our support