Mandela admitted for medical tests

South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela was admitted to a military hospital in Pretoria on Saturday for medical tests, though current president Jacob Zuma told the public there was "no cause for alarm" over the 94-year-old's health.

The statement, issued by Zuma's spokesman, said that Mandela was doing well and was receiving medical care "which is consistent for his age." The statement offered no other details.

Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for fighting racist white rule, became South Africa's first black president in 1994 and served one five-year term.

He later retired from public life to live in his village of Qunu, and last made a public appearance when his country hosted the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament.

"We wish Madiba all the best," Zuma said in a statement, using Mandela's clan name. "The medical team is assured of our support as they look after and ensure the comfort of our beloved founding president of a free and democratic South Africa."

In February, Mandela spent a night in a hospital for a minor diagnostic surgery to determine the cause of an abdominal complaint. He was also in hospital in January 2011 with a respiratory infection