Johannesburg (CNN) – South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela successfully underwent hernia surgery Saturday, a family member told CNN Saturday. Mandela was “comfortable” and in “a satisfactory condition” Saturday, said the South African president, who referred to the medical event only as “a planned procedure.”
The 93-year-old likely will be discharged within the next two days, a Mandela relative told CNN. Earlier, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela was being treated for a “longstanding abdominal complaint.” The president referred to Mandela by his affectionate clan name Madiba. Mandela’s surgery ‘not at emergency’ “Madiba is fine and fully conscious and the doctors are satisfied with his condition, which they say is consistent with his age,” Zuma said in a statement Saturday afternoon.
“He was in good health before admission in hospital but doctors felt the complaint needed a thorough investigation. He underwent a diagnostic procedure as part of his ongoing medical management. We are happy that he is not in any danger and thank the doctors for their hard work and professionalism,” Zuma said.
A government official assured the public that Mandela’s hospital stay was not an emergency. “People need not panic. This was planned … Mandela has had abdominal pains for sometime,” said Keith Khoza, a spokesman for the ruling African National Congress. Officials and family declined to name the hospital the former president is undergoing treatment. Mandela last appeared in public in the closing ceremonies of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
He was hospitalized last year for treatment of an acute respiratory infection, and continued to receive treatment at home after doctors discharged him. Despite his rare appearances, Mandela retains his popularity and is considered the founding father and hero of South Africa’s democracy.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate spent 27 years in prison after being convicted of sabotage and attempts to overthrow the government under South Africa’s former apartheid regime. He was released in 1990 and served as president four years later. Mandela relocated to his childhood town of Qunu last year, but moved back to his Johannesburg home earlier this year.
At the time, Zuma said the move was because the home in his boyhood town was undergoing maintenance.
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