Agence France Press reported that Mandela, who turns 95 next month, was whisked to a Pretoria hospital in the early hours of Saturday with a renewed lung infection. It is his fourth hospital stay in seven months.
"The truth of the matter is a simple one. Madiba is a fighter and at his age as long as he is fighting, he'll be fine," presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj told AFP, using Mandela's clan name. His wife Graca Machel was at his bedside in hospital after calling off a trip to London.
The anti-apartheid icon was once again suffering from pneumonia, after he was discharged in April for the same condition, said Maharaj.
"His condition deteriorated to the point where it was found necessary to hospitalise him," he said.
"But I am told by the doctors that he is breathing on his own, so I think that is a positive side," he added.
The announcement, calling his condition "serious", sparked a buzz on Twitter.
"Stay strong Mr. Mandela heaven is not ready for you quite yet!," was one plea.
But there were also blunt calls to accept Mandela's increasing frailty and mortality.
"Gosh, Madiba gets no rest from the media. Let him die with dignity. It's not a circus folks," tweeted @Eish_Mag.
In his rural childhood village of Qunu, where Mandela once tended cattle, the news came via radio for Malunga Mbokodi.
"I was shocked to hear from the radio this morning that he was again in hospital," the 62-year-old told the Sapa news agency.
"I think we should just accept it that Mandela is old and he will go soon," he added.
The ruling ANC called for people at home and abroad to keep "our beloved statesman and icon, Madiba" in their thoughts and prayers.
*This man is using style to bid all of us goodbye*
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