Happy 95th Birthday To Former South African President Nelson Mandela

As an ailing Nelson Mandela recuperates in a South African hospital, the world celebrated his 95th birthday Thursday, honoring his legacy in various ways, including performing 67 minutes of community service.

Schoolchildren sang "Happy Birthday" to the former president during morning assemblies while crowds left flowers and candles outside his Pretoria hospital. The day also marks 15 years since he married his wife, Graca Machel.

Children waved South African flags at the Milton Mbekela school in the village of Qunu, Mr Mandela's boyhood home.

President Jacob Zuma said that Mandela, who has been hospitalized with a lung ailment since June, is "steadily improving." Zuma's latest assessment comes after weeks of describing Mandela's heath as critical but stable.

The president wished Mandela a happy birthday.
"We are proud to call this international icon our own as South Africans and wish him good health," Zuma said. "We thank all our people for supporting Madiba throughout the hospitalization with undying love and compassion. We also thank all for responding to the call to give Madiba the biggest birthday celebration ever this year."

Mr Mandela's former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and members of his family greeted the crowds outside the hospital in Pretoria.

The United Nations declared July 18 as Mandela Day four years ago to honor his role in reconciling a country torn apart by apartheid. It started as a call to promote global peace and encourage community service.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who campaigned alongside Mr Mandela for an end to white-minority rule, celebrated his old friend's birthday at a primary school in Cape Town.

His foundation is asking people to volunteer 67 minutes of public service on his birthday, a reference to the number of years he devoted to public service.


Source: CNN