Pretoria - All thoughts will be focused on former president Nelson Mandela's legacy as he celebrates his 95th birthday, President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday.
“In 2009 we declared July 18 - the birthday of our beloved former President Nelson Mandela - as Mandela Day,” Zuma said in a statement.
“Let us return Madiba's sacrifices and contributions through our own efforts to build a better society. Make every day a Mandela day.”
Every year on Mandela's birthday, many South Africans spend 67 minutes of their time doing charitable work - one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service to the country.
In November 2009, the United Nations officially declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day, to recognise his “values and his dedication to the service of humanity”. Zuma wished everyone a “productive, reconciliatory and reconstructive” Mandela Day.
“We declared this day in honour of Madiba to inspire all of us to take action personally to help change the world for the better and create a sustainable movement for good in South Africa and abroad,” he said.
Thursday is Mandela's 95th birthday. The ailing anti-apartheid icon was admitted to hospital on June 8 with a recurring lung infection. - Sapa