Former South African president Nelson Mandela is back in hospital for a recurring lung infection, reports the Associated Press.
Madiba, as he is affectionately known, was admitted to a Pretoria (the capital of South Africa) hospital last night after his “condition deteriorated” according to a statement from the office of current President Jacob Zuma.
“Doctors are doing everything possible to make him better and comfortable,” continued the statement.
The 94-year-old statesman and his family have received an outpouring of support and concern from supporters at home and abroad, especially after his four hospitalizations in the past few months. His last discharge was on April 6 after a 10-day hospital stay where doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia. In March he was also hospitalized for what doctors called a routing medical test. Last December he was hospitalized for a lung infection and had his gallstones removed.
“We will keep President Mandela and his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time and call upon South Africans and the peoples of the globe to do the same for our beloved statesman and icon, Madiba,” read a statement from the African National Congress, Mandela’s political party.
The BBC reports that Mr. Mandela’s wife Graca Machel has canceled her appearance at a hunger summit in London this weekend to fly back home to be with her husband.
ESSENCE wishes Madiba a safe recovery.