Millions of South African schoolchildren sang happy birthday to Nelson Mandela as he turned 93 yesterday, while politicians and ordinary citizens did charity work to support his call to do good
Millions of South African schoolchildren sang happy birthday to Nelson Mandela as he turned 93 yesterday, while politicians and ordinary citizens did charity work to support his call to do good.
For the third year, at the request of his charitable foundation, July 18 is observed as Mandela Day, recognised by the United Nations as a global call to volunteer for good causes for 67 minutes representing each year of Mandela's life in active politics.
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| Nelson Mandela celebrates his 93rd birthday with his family in Qunu yesterday. South African school children prepare to serenade the South African icon by singing a special rendition of Happy Birthday |
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The nation's 12.5 million schoolchildren sang 'Happy Birthday' before starting class yesterday, with television and radio stations urging the nation to join in the special rendition of the song, given an African twist by a local composer.
"This week there will be no extra mural activities. You will spend that time going to charities to do your charity work. It is only appropriate as a school to devote 67 minutes of our time in his honour," Les Lambert, principal at Johannesburg's Rosebank primary school, told his 500 students.
Tributes also came from world leaders, with British Prime Minister David Cameron saluting Mandela's legacy during his visit to South Africa yesterday.
"President Mandela is an inspiration to the world, and as we celebrate his birthday and look back at just how far South Africa has come, so I believe we can look forward with confidence to an even better future for South Africa and her people," Cameron said.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the world to observe Mandela's call to carry out volunteer work.
Mandela spent his birthday with his family at his childhood village Qunu in the Eastern Cape province, said Sello Hatang, spokesman for his foundation.
His grandson, chief Mandla Mandela said the family would give blankets to elderly people around his nearby birthplace of Mvezo.
