Home
Discover Islam
Quran Recitations
Lectures
Fatwa
Articles
Fiqh
E-Books
Women
Boys & Girls 
Women
Nelson Mandela, the icon of the anti-apartheid movement and South Africa's first black president, marked his 90th birthday on Friday with an appeal on behalf of his Rainbow Nation's poor.
As tributes poured in for the world's best loved elder statesman, Mandela spent the day surrounded by the family he was unable to see during 27 years in captivity.
But even as the great and the good of the modern-day South Africa prepared to descend on his rural homestead for a birthday banquet on Saturday, Mandela said the privileged minority should not ignore the poverty in their midst.
"There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate who have not been able to conquer poverty," he told reporters when asked if he had a birthday message for the world.
Mandela, who was also celebrating his tenth wedding anniversary with his third wife Graca, said he was fortunate to have reached 90 but added that "poverty has gripped our people".
"If you are poor, you are not likely to live long," he said.
Mandela, who promised a "better life for all" as he was elected in 1994, has proved a tough act to follow since standing down in 1999 after a single term in office. His birthday has been used by many commentators as an opportunity to draw an unflattering comparison with his successor Thabo Mbeki.
Although South Africa has enjoyed a long period of growth, unemployment remains at around 40 percent and research shows the gap between rich and poor widening even though absolute poverty levels have declined.
"The sweet celebration of a life of leadership, service and generosity is mixed with the sour taste of a legacy being polluted in front of the old man's tired eyes," the Mail and Guardian said in an editorial.
Mbeki, who is due to attend Saturday's party here in Qunu, paid generous tribute to his predecessor as the "embodiment of what human beings should be in themselves and to others".
Former Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar, whose on-pitch celebrations with Mandela after winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup epitomised the spirit of post-apartheid reconciliation, thanked him "for the inspiration you gave a nation".
F.W. de Klerk, the last president of apartheid-era South Africa, described Mandela as one of the greatest figures of the 20th century.
"After his inauguration, Nelson Mandela used his personal charm to promote reconciliation and to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation," de Klerk said.
"This, I believe, will be seen as his greatest legacy."
Speaking while seated alongside his wife, Mandela said that the last decade had been one of great happiness.
"It's not easy to talk about the 10 years of my marriage except to say that I am happy to have a wife like her. I am very happy about that," he said.
In Qunu, villagers said they were honoured by Mandela's presence even if they have not been invited to Saturday's party.
"I have heard that we are not invited but I am going to put on my best suit and stand at the gate just to catch a glimpse of him," said 60-year-old Thandile Geledwa.
"This is a big day for our village especially for Madiba. It is always nice to hear our place being mentioned in same breath as his name. This makes his birthday our birthday too," said 15-year-old schoolboy Asive Joyini.
Photographers and journalists were camped outside the home where a gigantic white marquee had been pitched in anticipation of the event.
Three cows were to be slaughtered for the festivities, with the banquet menu featuring traditional food such as tripe and sheep's heads.
Mandela retired from public life four years ago but has continued to be involved with his foundation, raising millions of dollars for AIDS charities and to help underprivileged children.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Nelson Mandela
AFP
