 |
| South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela blows out the candles on his birthday cake, as his wife Graca Machel watches at his house in Qunu at the weekend. Photo/REUTERS |
You are the glue that holds us together as a nation. You provide eternal hope in our people and the world that South Africa can only be a better place each day,” said Jacob Zuma, ANC president at a party marking Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday.
Tributes to Mandela poured in, including from US presidential candidate Barack Obama, who is trying to make history in November by becoming the first black US president.
Mr Obama said in a message: “Celebrations and simple words of admiration are not enough … to honour a man who’s brought hope to a world often filled with despair; who’s brought so much love to a world so filled with hate and who’s shown us how much we can achieve when we have the courage to be our better selves.”
“No, the way to truly honour you, Nelson Mandela, is to act each and every day in our own lives to do our part for our fellow human beings and to live up to the example you continue to set each and every day.’’
Mr Mandela turned 90 on Friday, more than 14 years after becoming the country’s first black president at the end of white minority rule.
Mr Mandela, who spent 27 years in jail for his anti-apartheid activities, became a symbol of unity between black and white South Africans during his one term as president, but the euphoria that accompanied those early years has somewhat faded.
Has long retired
Although Mandela has long retired from active politics, many say he still provides a unifying force in a country where divisions between black and white, as well as rich and poor are resurfacing as a largely black majority stays mired in poverty.
Financial Mail editor Barney Mthombothi wrote in a tribute to Mr Mandela on Friday: “We’re approaching a future without his commanding presence with some trepidation. … We won’t see the likes of him again.”
Critics say Mr Mandela’s successor Thabo Mbeki has failed to address the huge gulf between rich and poor which is stoking labour unrest, while South Africa still suffers one of the world’s worst crime rates.
President Mbeki lost the leadership of the ANC to Mr Zuma in a bruising battle last December which exposed divisions within the ruling party.
But on Saturday Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma put aside their differences and joined celebrations for Mr Mandela, which included performances by choirs and dancers, while cattle herders beat drums outside.
It was a grand occasion, held in a tent outside his homestead in Qunu, 900 kilometres south of Johannesburg, where as a boy he herded cattle in the hills.
The anti-apartheid icon walked into the tent with Mr Mbeki, and Mr Zuma, stopping to personally greet some of the 500 guests as he made his way to the head table.
The guests, many dressed in traditional beaded cloths, animals skins and feather headdresses, stood and cheered while a Xhosa choir sang: “Here is our hope!”
Wearing, an intricately patterned shirt in shades of brown, Mr Mandela looked relaxed and cheerful as he listened attentively to the accolades being heaped on him.
President Mbeki called Mr Mandela a “great liberator.” Mr Zuma said the gathering was a celebration of “a life and legacy of a father, grandfather, comrade, warrior, soldier, nation builder and statesman.”
Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda caught the festive mood with a tuneful solo of “Happy Birthday,” followed by a teasing verse: “How old are you? State secret!” Then the 84-year-old Kaunda jogged over to shake Mandela’s hand.
The event also marked the 10th anniversary of his marriage to child rights activist Graca Machel and — despite the large number of guests — had a feeling of an intimate family affair.
“This birthday celebration is one of the very small ways that we as your family can show our love, respect and appreciation for all you have done,” said one of Mandela’s granddaughters, Nandi Mandela.
Machel’s daughter Josina said the couple symbolised hope. “The two of you have taught us a lot about the virtues of love,” she said.
In the climax of the afternoon, master of ceremonies and lawmaker Bantu Holomisa toasted the couple. “All of you join me in wishing them both all our love, happiness and long life,” he said. “Long life!”
To the sound of ululating, Mandela was presented with an aluminum-bound album of family photographs and testimonials, compiled by his children and grandchildren.
Eager to thank his guests, Mandela rose to his feet and spoke for a few minutes with his characteristic self-deprecating humour.
“As you know I am not a speaker at all, and I am not going to make any exception on this occasion, except to say thank you for all you have done for me,” he said.
Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against apartheid. He was released in 1990 to lead negotiations that ended decades of racist white rule, then was elected president in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
He completed his term in 1999 and did not run again, but has continued to take a leading role in the fight against poverty, illiteracy and Aids in Africa. Age has slowed him in recent years, but many still remain in awe of his stamina. Just last month, he was the honoured guest for a huge charity concert in London’s Hyde Park.
“I would say that for a 90-year-old man who has been through what he has been through, he is in exceptional shape,” one of his doctors, Peter Friedland, said at the party on Saturday. (Reuters)
————
Korir\api.nation.ke
Like this:
Like Loading...
