Thursday 18 July 2013

Mandela celebrate his birthday in hospital

For the first time in history South Africa  statesman Nelson Mandela spend his  95th birthday in hospital where he has been treated for a recurring lung infection for over a month.

President Jacob Zuma  visited former Madiba  at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria to wish him a happy 95th birthday.

Celebrations are happening around the country and the world to celebrate Mandela’s birthday and World Mandela Day with people asked to give 67 minutes of their time to community service.

A military brass band played a Birthday song for Madiba and also paraded around outside the facility as onlookers applauded.

Zuma joined crowds of well-wishers outside the hospital in singing the national anthem before going inside.
Schoolchildren, Church leaders,  politicians, sports stars, musicians  and close friends of Mandela's visited the MEDICLINIC Heart hospital to  pay  tribute to the global icon.
According to the  Presidency  Mandela's  health condition is steadily improving.
Dozens of people continue to arrive at the hospital to show Madiba support.
Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said Mandela Day must inspire the nation to take action and do good for others.
“We declared 18 July as Mandela Day in honour of the birthday of our beloved former President Nelson Mandela. We declared this day to inspire all of us to take action. All our thoughts are focused on the rich legacy he’s given us as South Africans and the world.”
United States president Barrack Obam also joined the world in wishing madiba a happy birthday and a speedy recovery.
" May Nelson Mandela's life of service to athers and his unwavering commitment to equality, reconciliation and human dignity continue to be a beacon for each future generation seeking a more just and prosperous world" said Obama in a statement 
EASTERN CAPE
Opposition United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa says it’s now time for Nelson Mandela to be discharged from hospital.
Holomisa says he visited Madiba in hospital last week.
“I greeted him and said daddy it's Bantu here and he opened his eyes.”

He says Madiba has spent too much time in hospital.
“We say now get out of that hospital.” 
Holomisa is planting trees and handing out food parcels with Mandela’s grandson Mandla in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape.
Mandla, who has been at the centre of a family dispute over the exhumation and reburial of his relatives, urged the nation to make a positive change in someone's life today.
“Instead of passing a person look into his or her eyes and see how you can change their life. Make a person smile.”
GAUTENG
The ruling ANC also joined the nation in  celebrating   the statesman's birthday  at the hospital where he is being treated. 
Madiba's daugter Zindzi received a new smart ID card on behalf of her father.
The first smart ID cards are being handed out today as part of the celebrations.
Mandela was among the first to receive one. 
Home affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa says the launch of the Smart ID Cards on Madiba’s birthday is symbolic of how far the country has come since the hated pass legislation during apartheid.
“The launch of the smart ID card is a culmination of the struggle against the hated pass laws and marks a decisive departure from that period of history in South Africa.”
Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela also joined  the family at the hospital for a lunch and also  shared Mandla's birthday  cakes to ordinary people  
WESTERN CAPE
Pupils at Edgemead High School along with their parents and teachers  celebrated  the day by making 25,000 sandwiches for disadvantaged school children. 
The food was distributed to children from disadvantaged schools such as Du Noon, Ysterplaat and Durbanville. 
Capetonians  leave birthday and other well wishes for Madiba at a special wall of honour at St George's Cathedral in the Cape Town CBD. 
Congress of South African Trade Union’s (Cosatu) Tony Ehrenreich explained what the wall represents. 
“The wall of honour represents a point for people to bring birthday cards and bring gifts that can be distributed to the communities.”
Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille together with her staff and the Stormers rugby team  packed food hampers for the poor and needy. 
Meanwhile, some tourists say they will spend their 67 minutes paying a visit to Robben Island.
Madiba spent 18 years of his life in prison on the island.
Some tourists say they believe their first visit to Robben Island is extra special as it coincides with Madiba’s birthday.
One American tourist, who has been in South Africa for about an hour, says she headed straight from the airport to Robben Island.
A couple visiting from Germany and the United Kingdom say they cannot believe their luck that they are in the country at the same time as his birthday.

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