Africa Celebrates Mandela’s 90th Birthday

(AllAfrica)--Messages of congratulations, tributes and good wishes are pouring in from South Africans and influential leaders alike in all walks of life, for former President Nelson Mandela on his 90th birthday.

President Thabo Mbeki extended his message on behalf of the entire nation to the internationally revered statesman and former political prisoner on Friday. "We are proud as South Africans that Mr Mandela and his generation of fighters (against colonialism) embraced with both passion and reason the mission that history imposed on them and more than met the demands that it enjoined them to fulfil," the President said. Mr Mbeki said all South Africans glow in the light of fame because the country stands on the shoulders of icons such as Mr Mandela.

He recalled Mr Mandela’s statement at the opening of the defence case in the Rivonia Trial in the Pretoria Supreme Court on 20 April 1964 when he said: "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. "It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

The President said in the same way that Mr Mandela’s generation had to discover and fulfil its mission, he urged the current and future generations to return to the question of their mission and how to fulfil it, as conditions and circumstances evolve. "Finding answers to this question simultaneously as we celebrate his birthday is perhaps the biggest present we can give to Nelson Mandela. Many happy returns: ukhule ukhokhobe!," said Mr Mbeki.

In her birthday message to Madiba, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said he has been a true inspiration to her, to the country, its leaders, citizens and mostly, youth. "He has lived true to the principle of ‘be the change you want to see in the world’," Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka said.

Director General in the Office of the Presidency and Secretary to Cabinet Reverend Frank Chikane said: "On behalf of the South African government, the Cabinet wishes to express its hearty congratulations to you [Madiba] of celebrating the 90th birthday and the 10th wedding anniversary." Mr Chikane said as the first President of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa, Mr Mandela has laid a solid foundation for the emergence of democratic government that continued to serve the nation with pride. "You have left us a rich legacy from which government abundantly draws inspiration as it works for reconstruction and development, economic prosperity and national unity.

"Siyavuyisana nawe. Sikunqwenelela usuku olumnandi kunye nosapho lwakho, [We congratulate you. We wish you a happy birthday with your family], Happy Birthday Madiba!," said Reverend Chikane. FIFA President Sepp Blatter also added the organisation’s message of good wishes saying: "Today, the football worldwide will celebrate the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela, an extraordinary man who has dedicated his life to the promotion of human rights and democracy."

Mr Blatter will salute Mr Mandela with a special birthday video message to pay tribute to the "icon of humanity." The message will be aired on Friday by the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC). Danny Jordan, Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer for the 2010 FIFA World Cup said the number "90" was synonymous with the beautiful game of football.

"Today, however, the number 90 is synonymous with just one thing - Nelson Mandela turning the ripe old age of 90." Mr Jordan recalled how Mr Mandela reacted when South Africa won the right to host the world cup. "With tears welling up in his eyes, Madiba declared that he ‘feels like a young man of fifteen,’" said Mr Jordaan. He added: "His has been a life of hardships, yet he showed no signs of bitterness, anger of hatred towards his captors who imprisoned him for 27 years."

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