Nelson Mandela's health: 'no need to panic'

Nelson Mandela began his third day in hospital in Johannesburg today as the South African government issued a statement saying there was "no need to panic" over the former president's condition. The deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe, gave no specific details on why Mandela was taken to hospital, but said he was undergoing specialised tests necessary to give him optimal care. "There has been mounting concern about the health of the former president Nelson Mandela," Motlanthe said in a statement. "Medically there is no need to panic." Speculation over Mandela's health escalated last night as family members and senior political figures were seen visiting the frail 92-year-old in hospital. They included his ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who reportedly left the hospital in tears. President Jacob Zuma has left the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and will miss panels he was due to address today, but organisers said his departure was not linked to Mandela's admission to hospital. A spokeswoman told Reuters he had changed his plans a week ago. Millions of South Africans were anxiously awaiting news of his condition, but little news was forthcoming from the Milpark hospital. Motlanthe's statement is the first substantive word on Mandela's condition since he entered hospital on Wednesday. Mandela's office released only a brief statement, saying the visit was for routine tests and that Mandela was in "no danger and is in good spirits". The relative silence has led to speculation about his condition, with South Africans contemplating the loss of their moral lodestar . Reuters last night reported that Mandela was recovering from a collapsed lung, and could be released as early as today, according to a source close to Mandela. However, the Nelson Mandela Foundation declined to clarify the situation. The president's office appealed for calm. "We urge the media to afford him the dignity and respect that he is entitled to as the country's founding democratic president, as a national hero and as a citizen of the republic," it said. "President Mandela is comfortable and is well looked after by a good team of medical specialists." It said Zuma was being "kept abreast of developments", implying the tests are no longer routine. A close of friend of Mandela, who did not wish to be named, said there was "no cause for alarm". But some regarded the steady stream of visitors to the hospital as an ominous sign. Mandela undergoes regular hospital checkups, but his latest visit has stretched into an unusually long stay. South Africa's Star newspaper reported that he had been airlifted from Cape Town to Milpark hospital by military aircraft after developing a persistent cough. The hospital did not comment. Police were called in to control traffic at the hospital as scores of journalists, photographers and TV crews converged on the building. Children at neighbouring McAuley House primary school created "Get well soon" banners and shouted from classroom windows: "Get well Madiba [his clan name]. We love you Madiba." Meanwhile, police cordoned off the entrance to Mandela's house in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton. Police said this was as a precaution in case people wanted to pay homage. Leading South Africans offered their best wishes. Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu said he saw Mandela last week and remarked that for a 92-year-old he was "amazing". The hero of South Africa's liberation struggle who spent 27 years behind bars, Mandela had done a fantastic job and the country should thank God for him, Tutu said. "What more do we want from him? We want him to remain forever, but, you know … anything can happen." Earlier, the governing African National Congress (ANC) denied there was serious grounds for concern. "He is a 92-year-old and will have ailments associated with his age, and the fact that he stayed the night should not suggest the worst," a spokesman, Jackson Mthembu, said. "We urge people not to make unfounded statements. Let's remain calm and not press panic buttons because there is no reason to do so." Mandela was treated for tuberculosis during the 1980s, and later had an operation to repair damage to his eyes. In 2001 he had treatment for prostate cancer. He retired from public life in June 2004 ahead of his 86th birthday, telling his compatriots: "Don't call me. I'll call you." He has not been seen in public since the final of the football World Cup in July last year. Speculation about his health has frequently flared up . Earlier this month the ANC said it wanted Twitter to take action after a hoax report of Mandela's death was widely distributed on the website.