Message by President Jacob Zuma on the 94th Birthday of Former President Nelson Mandela

18 July 2012

Fellow South Africans,

We are joined by the world as we celebrate the life and legacy of President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on the occasion of his 94th birthday.

Madiba is special to South Africa in many ways. Leading from the front from the 1940s until 1994, the dawn of freedom, he inspired thousands as he relentlessly fought to bring about freedom, democracy, peace and stability in our country.

When Madiba was inaugurated as the first President of a democratic South Africa in May 1994, he immediately led the nation on the path of unity, transformation, forgiveness and reconciliation.

At 94, Madiba is almost as old as the ANC itself, the Movement that he dedicated his entire adult life to, and the Movement that is celebrating its Centenary throughout 2012.

We make a commitment to continue where Madiba left off. We will continue the long walk to confront poverty, unemployment and inequality.

We have also recently gathered in Kliptown in Soweto at the Social Cohesion Summit, where we began the process of developing a National Strategy on Social Cohesion and Nation Building, based on the values of unity, non-racialism, reconciliation and human compassion, values that are so dear to Madiba.

We hope that all those who share these ideals will contribute to the process that we began in Kliptown, in honour of Madiba.

We urge all our people to also personally contribute by doing good deeds as called upon by Madiba, to make our country and the world a better place for all.

Happy Birthday Madiba.

The whole nation loves you dearly.

Sikufisela okuhle kodwa Tata Madiba ngosuku lwakho lokuzalwa. Ukhule njalo.

Sithi unwele olude Madiba!

Issued by The Presidency, July 18 2012

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