95th birthday celebrations for Mandela as condition 'improves'
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SOUTH Africa celebrated Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday yesterday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving, after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment.
"Madiba remains in hospital in Pretoria but his doctors have confirmed that his health is steadily improving," said a statement from President Jacob Zuma, referring to Mandela by his popular clan name.
"We are proud to call this international icon our own as South Africans and wish him good health," Zuma said.
He thanked South Africans for supporting Mandela during his hospitalization with "undying love and compassion" and responding to a call to give the beloved figure "the biggest birthday celebration ever."
Mandela was taken to a hospital on June 8 for treatment for a recurring lung infection. The government had said he was in a critical but stable condition. Court documents filed by Mandela's family earlier this month had said Mandela was near death.
Mandela is making "remarkable progress," said one of his daughters, Zindzi, yesterday, after tense weeks.
"We look forward to having him back at home soon," the South African Press Association quoted Zindzi Mandela as saying during the government rollout of a digital ID card system in Pretoria, the South African capital. She was handed a replica of Mandela's new ID card during the ceremony.
Yesterday also marked the 15th wedding anniversary of Mandela and Graca Machel, the former First Lady of Mozambique, who has spent much of the time at her husband's side during his illness.
Schools around honored the anti-apartheid leader in special assemblies, and many people volunteered 67 minutes for charitable activities to match what organizers said were the 67 years of public service by Mandela, leader of the fight against white minority rule. Activities were also planned at the United Nations headquarters in New York City and other parts of the world.
"He's a man that ended the life of apartheid and he's a man of peace that everyone can look up to," said 12-year-old Ashley Kunutu, at an assembly in Mandela's honor at Melpark Primary School in Johannesburg.
The UN has declared July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day as a way of recognizing the Nobel Peace Prize winner's contribution to reconciliation. A procession was held in India to honor Mandela. In Washington, US congressional leaders also planned a ceremony.
Mandela was jailed for 27 years under apartheid and led a transition from apartheid to democracy. He became president in elections in 1994, serving a five-year term. He retired from public life years ago.
"Madiba remains in hospital in Pretoria but his doctors have confirmed that his health is steadily improving," said a statement from President Jacob Zuma, referring to Mandela by his popular clan name.
"We are proud to call this international icon our own as South Africans and wish him good health," Zuma said.
He thanked South Africans for supporting Mandela during his hospitalization with "undying love and compassion" and responding to a call to give the beloved figure "the biggest birthday celebration ever."
Mandela was taken to a hospital on June 8 for treatment for a recurring lung infection. The government had said he was in a critical but stable condition. Court documents filed by Mandela's family earlier this month had said Mandela was near death.
Mandela is making "remarkable progress," said one of his daughters, Zindzi, yesterday, after tense weeks.
"We look forward to having him back at home soon," the South African Press Association quoted Zindzi Mandela as saying during the government rollout of a digital ID card system in Pretoria, the South African capital. She was handed a replica of Mandela's new ID card during the ceremony.
Yesterday also marked the 15th wedding anniversary of Mandela and Graca Machel, the former First Lady of Mozambique, who has spent much of the time at her husband's side during his illness.
Schools around honored the anti-apartheid leader in special assemblies, and many people volunteered 67 minutes for charitable activities to match what organizers said were the 67 years of public service by Mandela, leader of the fight against white minority rule. Activities were also planned at the United Nations headquarters in New York City and other parts of the world.
"He's a man that ended the life of apartheid and he's a man of peace that everyone can look up to," said 12-year-old Ashley Kunutu, at an assembly in Mandela's honor at Melpark Primary School in Johannesburg.
The UN has declared July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day as a way of recognizing the Nobel Peace Prize winner's contribution to reconciliation. A procession was held in India to honor Mandela. In Washington, US congressional leaders also planned a ceremony.
Mandela was jailed for 27 years under apartheid and led a transition from apartheid to democracy. He became president in elections in 1994, serving a five-year term. He retired from public life years ago.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
