Cape Town - Well-wishes and praise poured in for former president Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on Thursday.
SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Neren Rau hoped Mandela's legacy would inspire all South Africans to build the nation.
The SA Communist Party said people should not use Mandela's name and legacy in vain.
“Yes, Madiba remains a hero of all, but his heroism is owed to his participation and loyalty to the revolutionary programme and movement under the leadership of the African National Congress,” spokesman Malesela Maleka said.
The party was sad that Mandela was spending his birthday in hospital, but was encouraged by news of steady improvement in his health.
Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa prayed for his life to be extended.
“To us as a nation and indeed the entire world, his hospitalisation has been traumatic and full of anxiety,” she said at celebrations in Alexandra, Johannesburg.
“Even though he is lying in hospital, we must be grateful for the fact that he is still alive as we celebrate his big day. It is a big day for all of us too.”
Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille was encouraged by the news of his improving health and wished the elder statesman a happy and peaceful birthday, celebrated internationally as Mandela Day.
“We support the '67 minutes of service' pledge to serve the community in honour of the 67 years Nelson Mandela spent serving the public,” she said.
The Food and Allied Workers' Union said it was only right that the nation sacrifice its time to honour Mandela, after all the sacrifices he had made.
The University of Cape Town's (UCT) student representative council agreed, saying Mandela was a man who selflessly served others.
“We can learn so much from his powerful drive for justice and equality, tempered by an utmost belief in the need for forgiveness and reconciliation,” UCT SRC head Lorne Hallendorff said.
Correctional Services Minister Sbu Ndebele led a group of people in community service activities in Soweto on Thursday.
Offenders from Leeuwkop prison helped renovate and paint an orphanage. Poor families received food grown and cultivated by offenders at prison farms.
Ndebele expressed gratitude to Mandela for leading the transformation of the country's prisons, by creating a culture where offenders become law-abiding and productive citizens.
“In our facilities we have made education and training of offenders compulsory. Madiba is our source of inspiration because he asserts that education is the great engine of personal development,” he said.
Ndebele also praised Mandela's call to resist stigmatising criminals and ex-criminals, and said they had the right to better themselves.
The ANC on Thursday thanked those people and organisations who heeded the call to serve others.
In one instance, R1 million was raised for 31-year-old Sinethemba Qasha, who needed surgery after being born with elephantiasis (gross enlargement) of the face, party spokesman Jackson Mthembu said.
“The ANC sincerely thanks everybody who has made Sinethemba’s dream come true today; the Sowetan newspaper for creating awareness and all those who dug deep into their pockets,” he said.
“The ANC commits itself to playing an active role supporting Sinethemba and his family to realise his dream of a productive, educated life.” - Sapa