Nelson Mandela hospitalised

London: South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital on Wednesday for ‘routine tests’.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation confirmed the 92-year-old’s admission to the private Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after his grandchildren were spotted visiting the facility. Mandela’s wife Graca Machel, and his personal assistant Zelda La Grange were also seen visiting the hospital. A foundation spokesman said that the former statesman was simply having a check-up after a holiday in Cape Town. "He is in no danger and is in good spirits," the Telegraph quoted spokesman Sello Hatang as saying. However, hospital spokesman declined to comment on what health tests Mandela was undergoing or whether he would be kept in overnight. Local reports suggested he had arrived at the hospital by ambulance and walked inside. A friend of Mandela’s said he had been suffering from a knee problem while on holiday in Cape Town. “My understanding is that it is routine but there is always alarm because it is Madiba (Mr Mandela’s clan name). The country and the world refuse to acknowledge his mortality, we all do, because we hope that he will be with us forever,” the pal said. ANI