As an ailing Nelson Mandela
recuperates in a South African hospital, the world celebrated his 95th birthday
Thursday 18th of july 2013, 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. 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 none-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
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