Birthday wishes for Mandela outside hospital

Learners from the Melpark Primary School in Johannesburg sing Rihanna's hit "Diamonds" referring to former president Nelson Mandela as they celebrate the 95th birthday of Mandela during their school assembly. Photo: Denis Farrell

Learners from the Melpark Primary School in Johannesburg sing Rihanna's hit "Diamonds" referring to former president Nelson Mandela as they celebrate the 95th birthday of Mandela during their school assembly. Photo: Denis Farrell

Published Jul 18, 2013

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Pretoria - Crowds of well-wishers gathered outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on Thursday morning to wish former president Nelson Mandela a happy 95th birthday.

A variety of renditions of “Happy Birthday” were sung at the Celliers Street entrance to the hospital.

Pupils of Tsosoloso Special School in Soshanguve, accompanied by their conductor Marcus Khumalo, were among the first to arrive and sang “Happy birthday Mandela wa rona” (Happy birthday our Mandela).

“I brought the children here because they were eager to wish Mandela a happy birthday,” said Khumalo.

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement earlier that Mandela's health was steadily improving.

Thursday was Mandela's 41st day in the hospital, where he is being treated for a recurring lung infection.

A group of nurses from a nearby hospital came to sing “Nelson Mandela, there is no one like you”, before reporting for duty.

A minibus of people aged between 50 and 70 came from Thembisa to drop off birthday cards and flowers at a wall of well-wishes outside the hospital, where Mandela was admitted on June 8.

Security was increased at the Celliers Street entrance, with more Tshwane metro police officers manning cordoned off areas.

Traffic through the streets was restricted, and officers were letting through only cars belonging to residents and the media.

Bus-loads of tourists slowed down near the hospital to allow foreigners to take pictures of the growing, smiling crowds.

There were also more media outside the hospital. Reporters were doing live crossings and were interviewing well-wishers.

A six-year-old boy clutching a container told a reporter: “I brought cake for Mandela for his birthday”.

Sapa

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