Mandela discharged from hospital

Nelson Mandela home after health scare

Hospital ... Nelson Mandela

By NICK PARKER in Johannesburg

Last Updated: 26th February 2012

VETERAN anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was given a clean bill of health as he returned home today from surgery in hospital.

The 93-year-old had keyhole surgery to ease crippling abdominal pains.

South African president Jacob Zuma said: "The doctors have decided to send him home as the diagnostic procedure he underwent did not indicate anything seriously wrong."

Much-loved former leader Mandela had a "diagnostic procedure" on a "long-standing" problem, believed to be an ulcer, colitis or a hernia.

His Johannesburg hospital was not identified, to prevent well-wishers gathering.

Return home ... Nelson Mandela's arrives back at his estate in Johannesburg

Mandela, affectionately known in South Africa by his family name Madiba, spent 27 years in prison for fighting racist white rule.

But he has not appeared in public since the country hosted football's World Cup final in July 2010 and was hospitalised last year with a chest infection, causing widespread concern.

Icon ... Nelson Mandela

A spokesman for President Zuma said yesterday: "Madiba has had a long-standing abdominal complaint.

"The doctors are satisfied with his condition which they say is consistent with his age. He is not in any danger."

His granddaughter Ndileka Mandela said the family was not unduly concerned. But she added: "When a person of that age is admitted to hospital for a check-up you can never know.

Former South African leader Nelson Mandela, 93, has been admitted to hospital after doctors advised specialist medical attention for a long-standing abdominal complaint."President Jacob Zuma wishes to advise that former president Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital today, the 25th February 2012," a statement from the South African presidency said.

Mandela has had a long-standing abdominal complaint and doctors feel it needed proper specialist medical attention, said the statement.

The statement wished Mandela a speedy recovery and assured him of the love and good wishes of all South Africans.

Nelson Mandela was discharged on Sunday from an overnight hospital stay after a diagnostic probe showed nothing "seriously wrong" with the anti-apartheid icon, South Africa's presidency said.

"Former President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital following his admission yesterday, Saturday 25 February," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement.

"The doctors have decided to send him home as the diagnostic procedure he underwent did not indicate anything seriously wrong with him."

Mandela, 93, underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy, a procedure in which doctors probe the abdominal area using a tiny camera.

The beloved national icon has been living in his Johannesburg home where he returned last month from his rural childhood village in the Eastern Cape some 800 kilometres (500 miles) from the country's economic hub.

Shortly before his discharge was announced, Zuma said Mandela, who is known affectionately as Madiba, was relaxed and comfortable after his night's stay in hospital and was surrounded by his family.

"The doctors have assured us that there is nothing to worry about and that Madiba is in good health," Zuma said.

Defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu confirmed the laparoscopy and said it was to investigate ongoing discomfort.

"He's fine, he is recovering from anaesthetic and he is as fine as can be at his age. He is fine and handsome," Sisulu, whose ministry is charged with Mandela's health care, told a press conference in Cape Town.