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SOWETO, South Africa – South Africa’s schoolchildren on Wednesday, July 18, sang happy birthday to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela as he turned 94, joining in the global praise for the much loved statesman.
Mandela, whose 1990 release from an apartheid prison put South Africa on the path to democracy and reconciliation, was expected to spend a quiet day with his family in his village home of Qunu, where he has retired from public life.
The nation’s 12 million schoolchildren began their day with a special birthday song, ringing with the line: “We love you father”.
“As we celebrate his birthday, we remember that he fought for us in the struggle. The struggle was to fight apartheid,” said 12-year-old Kgaugelo Masunhloane at Batsogile primary school in Soweto.
“He spent 27 years in prison. We would want to say thank you Madiba, and we wish you happy birthday, and many more years to come.”
Mandela, known fondly by his clan name Madiba, was unlikely to make any public appearances.
Key dates in the life of Nelson Mandela
– July 18, 1918: Born into Thembu royal family in Mvezo village in south-eastern South Africa
– 1940: Expelled from Fort Hare University College for participating in student strike
– 1941: Moves to Johannesburg, becomes mine policeman
– 1942: Completes Bachelor of Arts degree by correspondence through University of South Africa
– 1943: Joins African National Congress (ANC)
– 1944: Marries Evelyn Mase, trainee nurse
– 1952: Opens first black law practice in Johannesburg with Oliver Tambo
– December 5, 1956: Is among 156 political activists arrested and charged with treason – Agence-France Presse
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