JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Millions of South African schoolchildren sang to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday Monday, leading a worldwide chorus of birthday wishes sent to the anti-apartheid icon.
More than 12 million students sang a special
version of "Happy Birthday" before lessons began Monday.
Mandela also received birthday wishes from South
African leaders including President Jacob Zuma and from U.S. President Barack
Obama. In a statement sent Sunday, Obama called Mandela "a beacon for the
global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and
reconciliation."
Mandela, who has retired from public life, is
expected to spend the day with his family in his home village of Qunu, some 600
miles (1,000 kilometers) south of Johannesburg.
In 2009, his birthday was declared as an
international day devoted to public service.
People around the world have been asked to mark the
occasion by giving 67 minutes of their time to work in their local community —
one minute for every year of Mandela's public service. He became South Africa's
first black president after spending 27 years in prison for his fight against
apartheid. He was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
Mandela's public appearances have become increasingly
rare, though he did appear at the closing ceremony of the World Cup one year
ago.
Earlier this year, he was hospitalized for a few
days with an acute respiratory infection. Last month, though, he held a private
meeting with Michelle Obama when the first lady traveled to South Africa with
her daughters.
His foundation also has recently released
"Nelson Mandela By Himself," a book featuring more than 2,000 Mandela
quotations on topics ranging from freedom to forgiveness to HIV/AIDS.
For many South Africans, the elder statesman is
also thought of as a beloved family member and referred to by his clan name,
Madiba.
Students at the Johannesburg School for the Blind
and Partially Sighted sang and danced Monday morning as they wished their
"Tata Mandela" a happy birthday.
Most of the students are fire victims from South
Africa's impoverished townships and have received assistance from the Children
of Fire charity.
This year, the charity held a mock trial at the
school to illustrate Mandela's role in fostering reconciliation after
apartheid's end. On trial: several children accused of stealing from the
kitchen.
Charity founder Bronwen Jones said the lesson is
especially valuable for children who have been through adversity. She said one
in three of the children were burned intentionally.
"For them to be able to rise from that and
forgive the people who hurt them, there's no better example than Madiba,"
she said.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
(AP
Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
