Johannesburg - Political parties wished former president Nelson Mandela well after he was admitted to hospital for a recurring lung infection on Saturday.
The Democratic Alliance said it was saddened by the news.
“Nelson Mandela is a father to South Africa and South Africans, every time he is admitted to hospital we feel saddened along with the rest of the country,” said spokesman Mmusi Maimane.
“We wish Tata Madiba a swift recovery and wish the medical team that is with him all the strength in dealing with his condition.”
The presidency said Mandela, 94, was admitted in a Pretoria hospital on Saturday morning after his condition deteriorated at around 1.30am.
Spokesman Mac Maharaj said Mandela was in a “serious but stable” condition.
“He remains in a serious but stable condition.”
He said doctors were doing everything they could to make Mandela “better and comfortable”.
Mandela's condition remained unchanged on Saturday afternoon.
The Young Communist League of SA wished Mandela a speedy recovery.
“Tata is in our thoughts and we hope he will recover as soon as possible. We appeal to both the public and the media to give the family and the doctors the privacy they need at this current moment,” said spokesman Khaya Xaba.
The ANC said it wished Mandela well during his stay in hospital.
“We send to him our well wishes for a speedy recovery so that he may soon be discharged to return to the care and comfort of his home,” said spokesman Jackson Mthembu.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions said its members were thinking of Mandela at this time and wished him well.
The SA Communist Party sent its support to Mandela's family and asked that the former president and the family be given the necessary privacy at this time.
The elderly statesman has been in and out of hospital several times over the past few months.
On April 6, Mandela was discharged from hospital after spending nine days receiving treatment for recurring lung problems. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has suffered lung ailments before.
Early in March, he was admitted to a Pretoria hospital for a scheduled check-up and was discharged the following day. - Sapa