STAFF WRITERS
THE WORLD celebrated Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday today, hailing the man whose fight against the apartheid regime, his imprisonment and subsequent rise to power as South Africa’s first democratically elected president captivated hearts and minds around the globe.
US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle sent a birthday wish to Mandela today, saying he continued to “be a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation”.
They wished him happy birthday on behalf of “the people of the United States”.
Closer to home, politicians, NGOs, corporates, celebrities and ordinary people rolled up their sleeves and dedicated 67 minutes of their time to good causes, and at schools pupils raised their voices and sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to the beloved icon.
July 18 is Mandela Day, when people are asked to spend 67 minutes doing something meaningful for the less fortunate. The number 67 refers to the years that Mandela spent fighting for people’s rights.
This year, LeadSA and the national education department called on millions of pupils around South Africa to gather at 8.05am and sing a special version of Happy Birthday for Mandela.
At Glendale Secondary School in Mitchells Plain pupils filled the hall and sang their hearts out.
Deputy principal Kathleen Davids said she was proud of the pupils, particularly since they had no idea their rendition would be broadcast on Kfm.
She said it was fitting the school had been chosen by Kfm because it had a long “struggle history”.
“We were the first school Madiba visited in the area when he was released from prison.”
Pupil Michaela Jantjies, 14, said: “We are lucky to have a person like him in our lives. I don’t know how our country would have been if we didn’t have him.”
On Twitter and LeadSA’s Facebook page people wished Mandela happy birthday and challenged one another to spend 67 minutes doing something meaningful.
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi was set to visit Makhaza in Khayelitsha with other representatives of the trade federation to take part in a huge clean-up. Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and provincial cabinet members spent time at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, cleaning wards and chatting to patients and staff.
President Jacob Zuma, who was to visit Mandela at his home in Qunu today, tweeted: “Happy Birthday, Tata!”
Western Cape ANC leader Marius Fransman SMSed his message to the Cape Argus: “Happy Birthday Tata – you are inspiring the nation, as well as the international (community) with your humility, your wisdom and your deep sense of justice to ensure that every child anywhere in the world has a better tomorrow. It is my wish that all of us in SA, irrespective of political affiliation, will pause and reflect on our own actions... to do the same.”
Mandela’s warder, his lawyer and a neighbour who once shielded him while he was a fugitive from the law, remember different aspects of the man.
Prison warder Christo Brand was working in the censor’s office on Robben Island when birthday cards came streaming in.
It was July 18, 1978 – Mandela’s 60th birthday. “Thousands and thousands of them,” recalled Brand, now the manager at the Robben Island Museum book store and gift shop.
But “conditions were very strict then, so he only got the cards from his direct family”.
In 1982, when Mandela and the other Rivonia trialists were transferred to Pollsmoor Prison, Brand went with them.
“They would always celebrate birthdays as a group. The prisoners were allowed to buy some small groceries of their own, and it was usually Ahmed Kathrada who would organise a little gathering with biscuits and small cakes and things.”
But, Brand said, rules were stricter for Mandela. Tentative negotiations were being held with the apartheid government, and he was often kept isolated from the other prisoners. Sometimes, the others would be allowed in to see him, one by one, and offer their congratulations. Sometimes, he would send the vegetables from his rooftop garden to the kitchen and they would make a special stew.
“I remember in 1984, Mandela didn’t get to join them and it was just another day in prison,” said Brand. “But I remember going into (Walter) Sisulu’s cell. He gave me a cup of coffee and a rusk, and said: ‘We drink and eat on Mandela’s birthday.’ When he was kept alone in Pollsmoor, us warders would go in and shake his hand and say: ‘We hope you’ll be outside and at home next year’.”
Tears poured down the face of George Bizos at the Nelson Mandela Foundation yesterday. The lawyer was guest of honour at a function held by Saheti School at which students handed over a cake, cards and books to pupils of Bertrams Junior School in honour of Madiba’s birthday.
He was recalling how, on a trip to Sounion, Greece, with Mandela and his wife Graça, security was tight and the Mandelas were separated from the crowds with barricading.
But Mandela saw a group of children pushing forward, wanting to shake his hand.
He “ordered the barricading be pulled down and welcomed the children, hugging them and shaking their hands”.
Deputy Minister of Education Enver Surty told the children: “My wife was involved in community work and he visited my home town in Rustenburg. She approached him while he was still standing at the podium, addressing communities and asked for an autograph for our three daughters.
“He asked her their names and wrote: ‘To three beautiful princesses, I love you all’.”
Sannie Mokone is a few months older than Mandela. But that is not the only thing that makes her smile when Madiba celebrates his birthday.
“His life was once in danger and, together with my neighbours, (we) harboured him while he was in hiding in a room opposite my house in Selborne (outside Pretoria) in the 1950s.
“Mandela shared a rented room with the late Peter Magano, and we all contributed in different ways towards their wellbeing and protection. I can’t say I personally did much for Mandela, but… it gives me joy that the young man I met decades ago has defeated the odds, and that I’m also here to wish him well on his birthday.”