Mandela's 93rd birthday celebrated
Millions of South African schoolchildren sang happy birthday to Nelson Mandela as he turned 93 yesterday, while politicians and ordinary citizens did charity work to support his call to do good.
For the third year, at the request of his charitable foundation, July 18 is observed as Mandela Day, recognised by the United Nations as a global call to volunteer for good causes for 67 minutes -- representing each year of Mandela's life in active politics.
The nation's 12.5 million schoolchildren sang "Happy Birthday" before starting class yesterday, with television and radio stations urging the nation to join in the special rendition of the song, given an African twist by a local composer.
"This week there will be no extra mural activities. You will spend that time going to charities to do your charity work. It is only appropriate as a school to devote 67 minutes of our time in his honour," Les Lambert, principal at Johannesburg's Rosebank primary school, told his 500 students.
Kabelo Masemola, 10, said he wished Mandela a long and happy life.
"He must relax and must not get sick. He must live long."
Mandela spent is his birthday with his family at his childhood village Qunu in the Eastern Cape province.
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