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Mandela turns 93

Published:Tuesday | July 19, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Former President Nelson Mandela (seated), with his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (second from right), looks on as extended family members (from front left to right), Zama Obiri, Zwelami Mandela and Ziyanda Manaway look at Mandela's birthday cake at his hometown in Qunu, South Africa, yesterday.

 JOHANNESBURG (AP):

Former President Nelson Mandela spent his 93rd birthday yesterday with friends and relatives, in his rural hometown, as South Africans paid tribute to the anti-apartheid icon through song and community service projects.

Millions of South African schoolchildren began their day by singing a special version of Happy Birthday to Mandela, leading worldwide chorus of birthday wishes.

US President Barack Obama called Mandela "a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation".

South Africa's current president, Jacob Zuma, also paid a visit to Mandela in his home village of Qunu, some 600 miles (1,000 kilometres) south of Johannesburg. Zuma spent more than two hours with the former president, before leaving with members of the Mandela family, including the icon's former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

"I came to spend time with the Mandela family, to rejoice with them, but also to eat cake. There was a huge cake," Zuma said with a smile.

"Mandela is absolutely in good spirits," he said.