Mandela in hospital

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Former South African president Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital on Saturday for medical tests.

But a government statement said there was no cause for alarm.

On the streets of Johannesburg, people wished Mandela a speedy recovery.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHANNESBURG RESIDENT KHAYA MEMA, SAYING:

"We should brace ourselves that we should give him a break, that he needs to rest. He doesn't need all this tension of the things that are going on. Some of those things may cause him to also to, not to recover that quickly. But otherwise we wish that he gets well."

(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHANNESBURG RESIDENT ILZE GROOTBOOM, SAYING:

"We hope that everything goes well and that the tests come out positive or you know, in a positive way. And - get better soon."

Mandela was previously admitted to hospital in February for abdominal pain but was released the following day.

He has since spent most of his time in his ancestral home in the Eastern Cape province.