Send your good wishes to Nelson Mandela on his 95th birthday
Nelson Mandela is spending his 95th birthday with his family at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital, to which he was admitted on 8 June for a recurring lung infection. Share your birthday wishes for him here!
South Africa’s Presidency says the health of former President Nelson Mandela, who is celebrating his 95th birthday today, is steadily improving. “Madiba remains in hospital in Pretoria but his doctors have confirmed that his health is steadily improving,” said the Presidency on Thursday.
Mandela is expected to spend his birthday with his family at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital, to which he was admitted on 8 June for a recurring lung infection.
His birthday, 18 July, has been declared International Mandela Day by the United Nations.
“On behalf of government and all the people of South Africa, we wish Madiba a joyous 95th birthday. We are proud to call this international icon our own as South Africans and wish him good health,” said President Jacob Zuma.
“We thank all our people for supporting Madiba throughout the hospitalisation with undying love and compassion. We also thank all for responding to the call to give Madiba the biggest birthday celebration ever this year.”
Madiba’s daughter Zindzi Mandela today received his new Smart ID Card at an event held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to celebrate his 95th birthday, which included cutting a birthday cake for him.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor handed over the ID to Zinzi on his behalf.
Zindzi said she was happy her father was one of the first people to get the new ID. “I’m going to give it to him and I am certain he would be very much happy,” she said, adding that the family was overwhelmed by the recognition that people are giving to Madiba. She also thanked all South Africans who are praying for him.
She said Mandela had made “dramatic progress” and was gaining “energy and strength”. When she visited him on Tuesday he was watching television with headphones. “He gave us a huge smile and raised his hand… He responds with his eyes and his hands. I should think he will be going home anytime soon,” she said.
Pandor announced the introduction of the new Smart ID Cards during her department’s budget vote in Parliament earlier this year. The new IDs, which will be issued free to all first time applicants, can be used in next year’s elections.
Also receiving the new IDs were the Mandela Generation – those who were involved in the struggle against the apartheid regime during Mandela’s time. These included Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, former President Thabo Mbeki, former Parliament Speaker Frene Ginwala, struggle stalwart Andrew Mlangeni and Sophie de Bryn who led the women’s march against IDs to the Union Buildings in 1956.
Former President FW de Klerk was listed as one the recipients of the new ID but could not make it due to ill health.
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