Acting President and official Deputy President Kgalemo Mothlanthe held a press conference regarding the health of Nelson Mandela on Friday afternoon at 12h30.

Mandela was admitted earlier in the week to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg under a veil of secrecy for a collapsed lung.

Motlanthe opened the conference with the following statements:

“Madiba is well.”

“What I can convey is that he is receiving the best treatment from the best available health professionals in this country.

“That should reassure us, there is no need for us to panic, there is no need for us to fear for Madiba’s health.

“We will keep you posted, and we must remain calm.

“Madiba should be with us to celebrate his 93rd birthday in July, and beyond.”

Lt Gen. VI Ramlakan, Surgeon General, made these statements after the Deputy President:

“There has been mounting concern about the health of our former president.

“He underwent a few specialised investigations…These tests are necessary in order to provide optimal health care to him…And are a normal part of his medical regimen. Such tests are considered routine for a patient of his profile.

“Medically, at present, there is no need to panic. Doctor Mandela suffers from diseases common to people of his age.

“He recently developed an acute respiatory infection, for which he recieved treatment, and has responded well…He will be monitored closely.

“He will be discharged to receive home-based care at his home.”

Ramlakan linked Mandela’s repository tract infection to the damage reaped on his lungs by a chronic TB infection, suffered during his incarceration on Robben Island.

Ramlakan warned the media and public against “wild speculations and rumour mongering”, and said that the Surgeon General’s office will issue a regular bulletin of Mandela’s condition to update the greater public, should such a bulletin be necessary.