PRETORIA, South Africa (AFP) — Nelson Mandela was in a “serious but stable” condition in hospital last night with a renewed lung infection that has triggered worldwide concern for the South African hero.

Mandela, who turns 95 next month, was whisked to a Pretoria hospital in the early hours yesterday for 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 sign,” he added.

The announcement, calling his condition “serious”, sparked a buzz on Twitter.

“Stay strong mr Mandela heaven isn’t 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 and sheep, 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.

The Nobel peace laureate is revered as a symbol of forgiveness after leading South Africa into multi-race democracy as its first black president after decades of apartheid rule.

“My thoughts are with Nelson Mandela, who is in hospital in South Africa,” tweeted British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The White House also sent good wishes.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the people of South Africa as he recovers,” US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said.