Hero ... Nelson Mandela turns 95
Human rights legend Nelson Mandela celebrates his 95th birthday in hospital today surrounded by his family — and 95 cupcakes. Relatives feared he would not live to see this day. But he has rallied “dramatically” in recent days.
Zindzi, his daughter with second wife Winnie, said: “I visited him yesterday and he was watching television with headphones.
“He gave us a huge smile and raised his hand... he responds with his eyes and his hands. He’s gaining energy and strength. I should think he’ll be going home anytime soon.”
His granddaughters said the former statesman is still critical but stable in a Pretoria hospital where he
has been treated for a lung infection for more than five weeks. Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway, 36, said: “I just want him to be back in the lounge sat in his chair when I walk in and for him to ask how I am.
“He still looks on me as a little girl and asks how my day has been like he did when I was at school.
“He is still critical but stable but he is doing okay and, like the rest of the world, we still hope that he will return home one day.”
Her sister Swati Dlamini, 34, added: “We’ll spend the day in hospital with him at his bedside. The whole family will be there, about 40 of us.
“We are taking in 95 cupcakes that we have been baking to mark his life and there will be lots of cards as well. It will be a lovely day.”
As his family was making plans for a low key bedside party, world leaders and celebs were urging people to mark the day by making the world a better place.
The United Nations declared his birthday Mandela Day in 2010 and wants people to do good deeds for 67 minutes — the number of years he spent in politics and jail.
Former US President Bill Clinton said: “Change often begins with small actions. In doing so we can inspire more and more people to live, as Mandela has, with the belief that tomorrow does not have to be like yesterday.”
Movie star Morgan Freeman, who played Mandela in the 2009 film Invictus, said: “I’ll be delivering books to a school in Mississippi. I encourage everyone around the world to pledge some of your time to do something great for Mandela Day.”
Supermodel Naomi Campbell said: “To mark Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday we are calling on the world to do something great and celebrate Mandela Day.”
And the Dalai Lama said his support for the day was based around his “admiration of what a great man Nelson Mandela is”.
