Ruling party urges calm after Mandela's hospitalization

A spokesman for the African National Congress said Mandela was undergoing routine tests.

"It is a well-known fact that Madiba is 92-years-old and no longer a young man," said Jackson Mthembu, the spokesman.

"As South Africans, let us all allow doctors at the hospital to do their best in conducting tests on our elder statesman. We also wish to confirm that Madiba is well taken care of at the hospital."

Madiba is the former president's clan name, which is popular in the country.

The spokesman also urged the media to "refrain from making unfounded and unwarranted speculation" on Mandela's health.

"We also request the media, in particular, to give Madiba's family and the hospital the necessary privacy," the spokesman said.

Mandela was flown to a Johannesburg hospital on Wednesday from Cape Town, where he was on vacation, according to a source close to his family who is not authorized to speak to the media.

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