Nelson Mandela, 94, had to be rushed to the hospital owing to his serious lung infection that had been nagging him for months. Apparently his lung infection seemed to be recurring, causing his health to slowly deteriorate. 

The former South African president is in good spirits; however, the situation may be "serious this time," a government spokesperson claimed. Despite his condition, Mandela was able to breathe on his own, and kept communicating with the well-wishers at his bedside.

Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, has cancelled her public appearance scheduled at a hunger summit in London, to help his husband through his recuperation, sources say.

With his last trip to the hospital in April this year, it seems Mandela's condition is recurring, and worsening slowly. Mandela had been a patient of tuberculosis since a long time, which has been slowly impacting his overall health.

His 'serious' condition may be a cause of concern for the 53 million people in South Africa, for whom Mandela was a clear symbol of the struggle against the white-minority rule.

"He has been in good spirits. He is a fighter and he will be with us as long as he is there fighting," Mac Maharaj, presidential spokesperson, said.

"The situation is serious this time but doctors have assured us he is comfortable," he added.

Mandela will be receiving expert attention and care at the hospital to help him recover soon.

President Jacob Zuma also wished Mandela a speedy recovery and said in a statement, "President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of government and the nation, wishes Madiba a speedy recovery," using Mandela's Xhosa clan name.

"We will keep President Mandela and his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time and call upon South Africans and the peoples of the globe to do the same for our beloved statesman and icon, Madiba," the African National Congress, said in a statement.