South Africans, both black and white, heaped praise on revered African statesman Nelson Mandela on Wednesday as the country’s first black president celebrated his 83rd birthday and three years of marriage. In a country still racially polarised seven years after the end of apartheid white rule, television stations and radio talk shows interrupted normal broadcasts to beam live messages from South Africans across the country to Madiba, the clan name he is fondly known by. School children sang happy birthday for Mandela, who said he would be spending a quiet day with his wife Graca Machel at his home in a plush suburb of Johannesburg.
Asked what present he received from Graca for his birthday, Mandela answered: ”She gave me a kiss this morning, for my birthday. She has given me a new lease of life. She is a wonderful lady.” Mandela, who boxed in his youth, gave the secret of a long life: ”I exercise daily, sleep regularly and eat well.” Aides said his birthday was the only day of the year when the former leader’s diary was empty. – Reuters