Manila street kids to mark Mandela’s 95th birthday

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Nelson Mandela is set to spend his 95th birthday in hospital, but across the world admirers hope to honor their icon's legacy through millions of acts of kindness

FOR MADIBA. School children from St Mary's College carry a poster for ill Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where former President Nelson Mandela remains, Pretoria, South Africa, July 15. Photo by EPA/Kim Ludbrook

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Nelson Mandela is set to spend his 95th birthday in a hospital Thursday, July 17, but across the world admirers hope to honor their icon’s legacy through millions of acts of kindness.

In Manila, to celebrate his birthday, 50 abandoned street children will get a television studio tour and see performances by local artists. The children, whose ages range from 7 to 12, will participate in activities organized by the South African Embassy in Manila, GMA Network Inc, and Childhope Asia Philippines.

In Mandela’s native South Africa, biker gangs will clean streets, volunteers will paint schools, and politicians will spend 67 minutes on worthy projects in a tidal wave of charity to mark Mandela’s 67 years of public service.

The United Nations declared the Nobel peace laureate’s birthday Mandela Day in 2010, but for many this year it takes on extra poignancy.

Mandela has spent the last 6 weeks in a Pretoria hospital, where he is still in a critical but stable condition.

Breathing with the help of a machine, family and friends have said he is now responding to treatment.

His successor as president, Thabo Mbeki, even suggested he might be discharged from hospital soon.

But a day away from his 95th birthday, that seems optimistic to many after 4 hospitalizations in a year.

“I just hope that although he may not be able to enjoy his 95th birthday, that he will be well enough for his 96th” said friend and fellow campaigner George Bizos told AFP.

Pledging support

Children in schools around South Africa will begin their day by singing “Happy Birthday” to the former statesman.

According to a survey released Wednesday, July 17, 89% of young South Africans plan to take part in some way.

Near Pretoria, South African President Jacob Zuma will also do his bit.

He will try to channel Mandela’s cross-community appeal by delivering government housing to poor whites.

Global luminaries, pop stars, and companies also plan to pledge support.

“I will also be giving my 67 minutes to make the world a better place, one small step at a time,” British business magnate Richard Branson pledged in a recorded message.

On Saturday, July 20, Australian city Melbourne will hold a concert featuring local and African artists, while a music festival later this year in Norway will promote equality in schools.

Born July 18 in 1918, Mandela fought against white rule as a young lawyer and was convicted of treason in 1964.

He spent the next 27 years in jail.

But it was through his willingness to forgive his white jailers that Mandela made his indelible mark on history.

After negotiating an end to apartheid, he became South Africa’s first black president, drawing a line under centuries of colonial and racist suppression.

He then led reconciliation in the deeply divided country.

Mandela’s peace-making spirit has won him worldwide respect. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!