Nelson Mandela commemorates his 93rd birthday in South Africa

By Maricel Africa on Jul 19, 2011 in Africa, Current Events, International, Politics • No comments

Johannesburg – Former President Nelson Mandela celebrated his 93rd birthday in South Africa with his relatives and friends, as around 12- million school children sang “Happy Birthday” at 8:05 am on Monday, July 18, 2011, according to several international reports that day.

Mr. Nelson Mandela with his family
Image Credit: AP Photo
/Peter Morey Photographic

In commemorating his birthday, it was said that South Africa’s current president- Jacob Zuma gave a message before the children’s song.

He was quoted saying, “From the moment Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela strode out of prison on the 11th of February 1990, we knew that South Africa would be a different place. He showed us that despite the divisive racial oppression and hardships that this nation had gone through, it is not only possible, but necessary to embrace one another and to reconcile the South African people.”

“We have achieved a lot, but we must still work further to eradicate poverty and improve especially the lives of children, because Madiba loves them so much. Most importantly, we must spread love, ubuntu, humility and selflessness around us,” Mr. Zuma said in his message for Mr. Mandela.

It was believed that Mr. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his fight against racist apartheid rule, in which he was given a Nobel Peace Prize for his endeavours. He was then became the South Africa’s first black president in 1994.

Meanwhile, it was reported that not only President Jacob Zuma gave a message, but also, there were lots of birthday messages with full of wishes and love to the former president with the use of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.