Nelson Mandela discharged from hospital Nelson Mandela's admission to hospital in South Africa triggered a wave of anxiety about his health. Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital, a day after being admitted for a long-standing abdominal complaint. Despite assurances from the African National Congress (ANC) about his condition, the 93-year-old former South African president's admission to hospital on Saturday had triggered a fresh wave of anxiety over his health. Mac Maharaj, spokesman for the South African president, Jacob Zuma, said Mandela was released on Sunday after undergoing a laparoscopy. During the procedure, surgeons make an incision in the belly to insert a thin, lighted tube to look at abdominal organs. "The doctors have decided to send him home as the diagnostic procedure he underwent did not indicate anything seriously wrong with him," Zuma's office added. Earlier, the defence minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, had assured the public that Mandela was "fine as can be at his age - and handsome." Sisulu denied reports that Mandela had undergone surgery for a hernia. The government has been at pains to provide timely reports on Mandela's condition after the communications void surrounding his last hospitalisation prompted wild rumours about his health. Earlier on Sunday, Zuma released a statement saying that Mandela was "surrounded by his family and is relaxed and comfortable." The doctors are happy with the progress he is making. We thank all South Africans for their love and support of Madiba. We also thank all for affording Madiba and his family privacy and dignity," the current president said, referring to Mandela by his clan name. The government has not revealed where Mandela is being treated, although reporters were being kept at a distance from Pretoria's 1 Military hospital, which is officially responsible for the health of sitting and former presidents. Mandela last appeared in public before the football World Cup final in July 2010. He failed to attend, or even send a recorded message to, the centenary celebrations of the ANC last month. Most South Africans recognise that the Nobel peace laureate, who spent 27 years in prison during the struggle against racial apartheid, may not live for much longer, even if they fear that day. "We wish him well," said a Soweto resident, Ronny Zondi.