South Africa told not to panic as Mandela returns to village

Fears for the health of Nelson Mandela grew today after he made an unannounced visit to his childhood home.

The 92-year-old anti-apartheid leader travelled to the village of Qunu after reportedly telling his family: "I want to go home."

Accompanied by a medical team, the former South African president flew there from Johannesburg yesterday.

Staff at the remote Mthatha airport in Transkei are usually warned many days in advance of Mr Mandela's arrival but this time they were told only hours before he touched down at around 1pm, according to Cape Times. He was transferred to a military ambulance.

South African president Jacob Zuma confirmed that Mr Mandela, whose health has recently deteriorated, was "spending some time resting at his home. His party, the ANC, urged people not "to press any panic buttons".