Madiba's 90th birthday plans
2008-03-05 18:22
Johannesburg - Madiba's 90th birthday celebrations have already begun and will continue throughout the year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said on Wednesday.
Mandela was joined by his wife, Graça, daughters, Zinzi and Zenani, and a number of grandchildren in Johannesburg to hear what events had been planned around his 90th birthday which falls on July 18.
Madiba, wearing a silver patterned, silk shirt, arrived at the Victory Theatre on the Houghton Estate to loud applause and was helped to his red, high-backed armchair on the centre of the stage by two of his aides.
With the exception of a brief "hello" to Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo, Madiba sat quietly throughout the celebration announcement, flanked by representatives from the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (MCF), the Nelson Mandela Institute, the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF), the Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF) and the 46664 campaign. Each of the organisations have planned a number of events to commemorate Mandela's life.
Charities will continue Madiba's work
Chairperson the NMF, Jakes Gerwel, said Madiba had decided to join his charities on Wednesday to witness their pledge to him that they would continue his work in years to come.
"We know that this road is a long one, but we promised Madiba we have the stamina and determination to travel it."
Gerwel said Mandela's 90 years bore testimony to some of the most "turbulent decades" of the country's history.
"He saw the end of colonialism and then the beginning, and 42 long years later, the end of the scourge of apartheid rule on the people of South Africa."
Gerwel, referring to Mandela's speech in 2002 in which he 'retired from retirement', said the charities wished "this pensioner" a longer and happier life still.
"Over the last four years he has been trying to spend his time with his family and friends... the organisations gathered here ... will strive even harder to give him the space to do the things he enjoys," said Gerwel.
Mandela's actual birthday on July 18 would be spent at his home in the Eastern Cape with his family.
Worldwide events
Events for the year will include a global birthday wishes campaign; the launch of a Nelson Mandela comic book; a 46664 90th birthday concert in Hyde Park in London; the launch of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation Young Leaders Facility in the Western Cape and the opening of an exhibition on Mandela's life and times at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.
There would also be a photographic exhibition - a 15-city American tour launched in Atlanta - entitled Portrait of Mandela.
As part of the celebrations, the president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf would deliver the sixth annual Nelson Mandela Lecture in Kliptown, Soweto in July.
- SAPA