Nelson Mandela - Hospitalized

Just heard from a colleague in Capetown that The Father of the Nation has been taken to hospital. Now note that BBC News website is running the story. I am far from television at the moment. How is it being covered by BBC World, CNNI, Sky News, ITN, etc?

My buddy tells me that it's fairly widely covered right now on SA television.

Don't shoot me down but could it be his time to go? What is the likely scale of coverage?

I don't think this is anything too serious - just like when Prince Philip was in hospital over the Christmas period. He will be ill but I don't expect he will be seriously so, his complaint has been described as 'long-standing'.

Just switched the TV on a few minutes ago. I caught the end of Maxine Mawhinney talking to the correspondant in Johannesburg. It seems not to serious, though his age is obviously a major contributing factor.

They've also said that they believe he has had surgery overnight and is in good spirits.

I sincerely hope so. Long time, all time hero of mine.

So according to the BBC it's nothing to worry about but still warrants a live link up to South Africa.

ITN reported the story on the ITV 9:25am Summary in case anyone was interested!