The statement also said that Mandela had the same lung condition last year.

Mandela, who has become increasingly fragile over the last few years, was last seen in public during the 201o World Cup hosted by South Africa.  The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has also received round-the-clock care after undergoing abdominal surgery earlier this year.

Mandela, who is affectionately called “Madiba” by his countryman, spent 27 years as a political prisoner because he fought against the racist political apartheid system in South Africa.  The first democratically elected president was freed from prison four years before he took office in 1994.

Only last month, Mandela was honored with being featured on the front of his country’s currency.  The new 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 rand banknotes will co-exist with the current bills as legal tender.