19/07/2008 19:25 - (SA)
Sleepy town of Qunu comes alive with birthday fever
Phumza Sokana
THOUSANDS of well-wishers converged at Nelson Mandela’ hometown, Qunu, at the weekend to celebrate his 90th birthday.
The usually sleepy village near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, was abuzz with private and public celebrations in Mandela’s honour.
Messages of love and appreciation poured in from all over the world – from fellow villagers to prominent politicians such as Barack Obama.
The festivities began on Thursday with Mandela’s grandson, Chief Mandla Zwelivelile Mandela, and a group of villagers embarking on a symbolic 20km walk from Mvezo to Qunu. The same walk that Mandela’s father, Mphakanyiswa, and his family took 88 years ago.
Mandela’s father was forcefully removed from Mvezo and lost his chieftaincy because of apartheid laws. Mandla walked almost eight hours herding three cattle, a gift for Madiba from the Thembus of Mvezo.
As the sun rose on Friday, Mandela’s rural home was a hive of activity, with villagers, media personnel and a large contingent of police outside the house. Mandela’s face could be seen at almost every traffic light on the streets of Mthatha, which is about an hour from Qunu. His face was also posted at the airport and in a few stores in town.
Even the usually dull Mthatha Airport saw an increased number of private airplanes, carrying Mandela’s friends. The airport’s status was recently upgraded so that bigger planes could land on the strip.
A street festival, which lasted the whole day, kickstarted the festivities at 9am.
Mandela spent the day with only his family and a few close friends. His birthday wish was for the wealthy to share with the poor.
Madiba said: “There are rich people in the country who can share their riches with those who are less fortunate to conquer poverty.”
Speaking from his home’s lounge alongside his wife, Graca Machel, Mandela said he was fortunate to have lived until he was 90.
Yesterday the celebrations continued with a private party which was held at Madiba’s house for about 500 guests, including President Thabo Mbeki and former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda.
At Mthatha’s Walter Sisulu University a music festival, organised by the OR Tambo Municipality at a cost of R2 million, kept the young crowd on their feet. They were entertained by the legendary Hugh Masekela, Kabelo Mabalane and Afro-pop sensation Siphokazi.
An exhibition by the Nelson Mandela Museum and the Michigan State University Museum also took place along with a soccer tourney.
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