It was not only Mr Mandela's regal charm that won over white South Africans.
In the opinion piece, he also warned South Africa to prepare for Mr Mandela's death.
Mr Mandela, 94, was comfortable and was continuing to respond to treatment, the statement said.
BBC: Nelson Mandela breathing without difficulty - presidency
Earlier, a presidential spokesman told the BBC that Mr Mandela was conscious in hospital.
Mr Mandela, 81, is planning to meet with Northern Ireland's political leaders on Wednesday.
According to the Sunday Times, Zayd Ayob said that Mr Mandela's age was fuelling the row.
Mr Mandela was last admitted to hospital in February when he was treated for abdominal pain.
"The meeting with Mr Mandela is the one (Fifa delegates) are all talking about, " he said.
Mr Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has been rarely seen in public since.
Mr Mandela promised crucial legislation, including a bill to compel recalcitrant employers to implement preferential hiring.
Mr Mandela has been admitted to hospital on three occasions in the past two years.
BBC: Nelson Mandela undergoes operation to remove gallstones
Mr Mandela shrugs off American objections whenever he meets Fidel Castro or Muammar Qaddafi.
Her distance from power was further widened when Mr Mandela divorced her last year.
Mr Mandela, he said, had united the country behind the goal of a non-sexist, non-racist, prosperous society.
Mr Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for plotting to overthrow the government by violence.
Mr Mandela spent 18 days in hospital in December, undergoing treatment for a lung infection and gallstones.
It is the fourth time Mr Mandela has been admitted to hospital in just over two years.
Mr Mandela was admitted to hospital just before midnight, the office of President Jacob Zuma said earlier.
But he stressed that Mr Mandela had been able to handle the situation "very well" so far.
"Mr Mandela's dispute is with Ayob and Calder and not with his children, " Mr Bizos's statement said.
Mr Mandela assured her that his government did not want to erode her authority as tribal leader.
The strongest support for Mr Mandela's peace plan comes from the predominantly Hutu Burundian Democratic Front (Frodebu).
President Pierre Buyoya's government shows little interest in the transition to democracy being suggested by Mr Mandela.
After Mr Mandela was admitted to hospital late on Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma said people "must not panic".
BBC: Nelson Mandela breathing without difficulty - presidency
Mr Bizos denied allegations of a rift between Mr Mandela and his daughters over the use of funds.
The officials who have visited Mr Mandela in hospital since Saturday have all said he is doing well.
Tony Leon, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, says Mr Mandela will be a hard act to follow.
In its early years as a full democracy, South Africa needed the charismatic, principled leadership of Mr Mandela.
Mr Mandela also hopes to meet American relatives when he travels to the United States later this year.
Mr Mandela, 94, had a "restful day and continues to receive treatment", a statement from the presidency said.
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