Mandela ‘responding positively’ to treatment in hospital

Errol Barnett and Faith Karimi, CNN
Updated 2:00 PM EDT, Thu March 28, 2013

Story highlights

Mandela remains "under treatment and observation," President Jacob Zuma says

The anti-apartheid icon also was hospitalized earlier this month

At the time, officials said it was only for a routine checkup

Mandela, 94, has been treated for a lung infection before

(CNN) —  

Former South African President Nelson Mandela is “responding positively” to treatment after he was readmitted to a hospital overnight for a recurring lung infection.

President Jacob Zuma’s office passed along the doctors’ assessment of Mandela, the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon and nation’s first black president.

“He remains under treatment and observation in hospital,” Zuma said Thursday.

Mandela was conscious when he was taken to the hospital just before midnight Wednesday, Zuma’s office said.

It’s the second time this month he has been hospitalized. More than two weeks ago, he was taken to a hospital for what officials described as a routine checkup.

Nelson Mandela, the prisoner-turned-president who reconciled South Africa after the end of apartheid, died on December 5, 2013. He was 95.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Nelson Mandela, the prisoner-turned-president who reconciled South Africa after the end of apartheid, died on December 5, 2013. He was 95.
PHOTO: Theana Calitz-Bilt/pool/ap
Mandela became president of the African National Congress Youth League in 1951.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela became president of the African National Congress Youth League in 1951.
PHOTO: API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Mandela poses for a photo, circa 1950.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela poses for a photo, circa 1950.
PHOTO: APIC via getty images
Mandela poses in boxing gloves in 1952.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela poses in boxing gloves in 1952.
PHOTO: API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Mandela in the office of Mandela & Tambo, a law practice set up in Johannesburg by Mandela and Oliver Tambo to provide free or affordable legal representation to black South Africans.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela in the office of Mandela & Tambo, a law practice set up in Johannesburg by Mandela and Oliver Tambo to provide free or affordable legal representation to black South Africans.
PHOTO: Jurgen Schadeberg/Getty Images
From left: Patrick Molaoa, Robert Resha and Mandela walk to the courtroom for their treason trial in Johannesburg.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
From left: Patrick Molaoa, Robert Resha and Mandela walk to the courtroom for their treason trial in Johannesburg.
PHOTO: API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Nelson and Winnie Mandela raise their fists to salute a cheering crowd upon his 1990 release from Victor Verster Prison. He was still as upright and proud, he would say, as the day he walked into prison 27 years before.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Nelson and Winnie Mandela raise their fists to salute a cheering crowd upon his 1990 release from Victor Verster Prison. He was still as upright and proud, he would say, as the day he walked into prison 27 years before.
PHOTO: ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
A jubilant South African holds up a newspaper announcing Mandela
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
A jubilant South African holds up a newspaper announcing Mandela's release from prison at an ANC rally in Soweto on February 11, 1990. Two days later, more than 100,000 people attended a rally celebrating his release from jail.
PHOTO: TREVOR SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images
After his release in 1990, Mandela embarked on a world tour, meeting U.S. President George H.W. Bush at the White House in June.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
After his release in 1990, Mandela embarked on a world tour, meeting U.S. President George H.W. Bush at the White House in June.
PHOTO: KEVIN LARKIN/AFP/Getty Images
At his Soweto home on July 18, 1990, Mandela blows out the candles on his 72nd birthday cake. It was the first birthday he celebrated as a free man since the 1960s.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
At his Soweto home on July 18, 1990, Mandela blows out the candles on his 72nd birthday cake. It was the first birthday he celebrated as a free man since the 1960s.
PHOTO: WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images
Mandela and his wife react to supporters during a visit to Brazil at the governor
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela and his wife react to supporters during a visit to Brazil at the governor's palace in Rio De Janeiro, on August 1, 1991.
PHOTO: Bebeto Matthews/AP
South African President Frederik de Klerk, right, and Mandela shared a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their work to secure a peaceful transition from apartheid rule.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
South African President Frederik de Klerk, right, and Mandela shared a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their work to secure a peaceful transition from apartheid rule.
PHOTO: GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images
Mandela votes for the first time in his life on March 26, 1994.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela votes for the first time in his life on March 26, 1994.
PHOTO: Paul Weinberg via getty images
On April 27, 1994, a long line of people snake toward a polling station in the black township of Soweto outside of Johannesburg in the nation
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
On April 27, 1994, a long line of people snake toward a polling station in the black township of Soweto outside of Johannesburg in the nation's first all-race elections.
PHOTO: Denis Farrell/AP
Mandela in Mmabatho for an election rally on March 15, 1994.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela in Mmabatho for an election rally on March 15, 1994.
PHOTO: WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images
Mandela was elected president in the first open election in South African history on April 29, 1994. He
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela was elected president in the first open election in South African history on April 29, 1994. He's pictured here taking the oath at his inauguration in May, becoming the nation's first black president.
PHOTO: WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Image
Mandela, left, cheers as Springbok Rugby captain Francois Pienaar holds the Webb Ellis trophy high after winning the World Cup Rugby Championship in Johannesburg on June 24, 1995.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela, left, cheers as Springbok Rugby captain Francois Pienaar holds the Webb Ellis trophy high after winning the World Cup Rugby Championship in Johannesburg on June 24, 1995.
PHOTO: stringer/hamman/ap
After one term as president, Mandela stepped down. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, at right, was sworn in as his replacement in June 1999.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
After one term as president, Mandela stepped down. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, at right, was sworn in as his replacement in June 1999.
PHOTO: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Mandela sits outside his former prison cell on Robben Island on November 28, 2003, ahead of his AIDS benefit concert at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. He was sent to the infamous prison five miles off the coast of South Africa, where he spent 18 of his 27 years behind bars.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela sits outside his former prison cell on Robben Island on November 28, 2003, ahead of his AIDS benefit concert at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. He was sent to the infamous prison five miles off the coast of South Africa, where he spent 18 of his 27 years behind bars.
PHOTO: Paul Gilham/Getty Images
Mandela shows something to a group of international journalists visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg in May 2004.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela shows something to a group of international journalists visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg in May 2004.
PHOTO: Pool
Mandela sits with his wife, Graca Machel, and his grandchildren at his son
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela sits with his wife, Graca Machel, and his grandchildren at his son's funeral on January 15, 2005. He disclosed that his son, Makgatho Lewanika Mandela, had died of AIDS and said the disease should be given publicity so people would stop viewing it as extraordinary.
PHOTO: Obed Zilwa/AP
The "46664 Arctic" benefit concert was held in Tromso, Norway, on June 11, 2005. 46664 was Mandela
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
The "46664 Arctic" benefit concert was held in Tromso, Norway, on June 11, 2005. 46664 was Mandela's identification number in prison. Here, artists who performed at the event surround him.
PHOTO: Dave Hogan/Getty Images
Mandela attends an HIV/AIDs concert in Johannesburg on February 17, 2005.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Mandela attends an HIV/AIDs concert in Johannesburg on February 17, 2005.
PHOTO: KIM LUDBROOK/epa/landov
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton leans down to whisper to former South African President Nelson Mandela during a visit to the Nelson Mandela Foundation on July 19, 2007, in Johannesburg.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton leans down to whisper to former South African President Nelson Mandela during a visit to the Nelson Mandela Foundation on July 19, 2007, in Johannesburg.
PHOTO: Win McNamee/Getty Images for the Clinton Foundation
A bronze statue of Mandela was unveiled in Parliament Square in London on August 29, 2007. The 9-foot statue faces the Houses of Parliament.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
A bronze statue of Mandela was unveiled in Parliament Square in London on August 29, 2007. The 9-foot statue faces the Houses of Parliament.
PHOTO: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
Nelson Mandela and his third wife, Graca Machel, arrive at the 2010 World Cup before the final match between Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010, at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Nelson Mandela and his third wife, Graca Machel, arrive at the 2010 World Cup before the final match between Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010, at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto.
PHOTO: PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images
Then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with Mandela at his home in Qunu, South Africa, on August 6, 2012.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela —  
Then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with Mandela at his home in Qunu, South Africa, on August 6, 2012.
PHOTO: Jacquelyn Martin/Reuters/Landov

Mandela has become increasingly frail over the years, and has not appeared in public since South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010.

“Doctors are attending to him, ensuring that he has the best possible expert medical treatment and comfort,” Zuma’s office said in an earlier statement Thursday.

“We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family, and to keep them in their thoughts.”

“Madiba” is Mandela’s clan name, which is widely used in the nation.

Josh Earnest, White House deputy press secretary, said President Barack Obama is being updated on Mandela’s health.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the former president and his family,” Earnest said.

South Africa: Following Nelson Mandela

Zuma’s office did not say to which hospital he was admitted, but renewed calls for his privacy.

Mandela has been treated for the ailment before. He underwent treatment for a lung infection and had surgery to remove gallstones over the Christmas holiday in 2012, one of his longest hospital stays since his release from prison in 1990.

He suffered from tuberculosis during his imprisonment and has battled respiratory infections over the years. He also was treated for an acute respiratory infection in 2011, among other recurrent bouts of illness.

Considered the founding father of South Africa’s democracy, Mandela became an international figure when he endured 27 years in prison for fighting apartheid, the country’s system of racial segregation.

In 1993, he and then-South African President F.W. de Klerk jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mandela was elected president a year later, serving only one term, as he had promised.

Despite only rare public appearances in recent years, he retains his popularity and is considered a hero of democracy in the nation. Last year, South Africa launched a new batch of banknotes with a picture of a smiling Mandela on the front, a testament to his iconic status.

Mandela’s impact extends far beyond South African borders. After he left office, he was involved in mediating conflicts from Africa to the Middle East.

CNN’s Errol Barnett reported from Johannesburg, and Faith Karimi from Atlanta. CNN’s Kim Norgaard contributed to this report.