Mandela to spend birthday at home

2010-07-13 14:59

Pretoria – Former president Nelson Mandela will spend his 92nd birthday on Sunday with his family at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg.

Mandela's grandson Zwelivelile Mandela told journalists in Pretoria on Tuesday that 95 children from his grandfather's birth village of Mvezo and the nearby town of Qunu would be flown to Johannesburg to celebrate with Mandela.

"My grandfather will be spending the day with his family," Mandela said.

"Because of his age, it is difficult for him to travel, so we have centred the family to be in Houghton so that they can spend the day with him.

"Some 95 children from Mvezo village and Qunu will travel up to Johannesburg to spend the day with him."

Main national celebration

"This year's main national celebration will take place in Mvezo village in the Eastern Cape under the theme 'Make everyday a Nelson Mandela Day'," said ANC Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga said.

The event at Mvezo would be addressed by President Jacob Zuma.

Nelson Mandela Day national convenor Buti Manamela said MPs had been asked to use the day to help quell xenophobic threats against foreigners.

"We are asking MPs to help the government to quell whatever threats there may be against foreigners.

"We are calling on them to take care of the refugees and asylum seekers and this is one of the critical acts that South Africans should be involved in, in celebration of Nelson Mandela's birthday."

- SAPA