Johannesburg - Former president Nelson Mandela is “alive and kicking”, Acting President Kgalema Motlanthe told the SABC on Thursday.
“I want to say to you, he's alive and kicking. He hasn't passed on,” Motlanthe told the SABC in Cape Town.
“As you all know former president Nelson Mandela was admitted for a routine check yesterday in hospital. That has set the rumour mill into overdrive.
“Because of this overdrive people have been receiving SMSes indicating that he has passed on,” said Motlanthe.
Motlanthe's comments came amid a news blackout from the Nelson Mandela Foundation on the health of the former president who was admitted to Milpark hospital in Johannesburg on Wednesday for “routine checks”. - Sapa