Honors from Congress
Members of Congress celebrated the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela on the anti-apartheid leader’s 95th birthday. Republican and Democratic leaders joined in the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall Thursday with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, representatives of the Free South Africa Movement and other guests. Speaker John Boehner called Mandela a “remarkable statesman,” and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid described him as the George Washington of South Africa.
Clinton recalls ‘heart, humanity’
At the United Nations, where July 18 was declared Nelson Mandela International Day, former President Bill Clinton recalled getting to know him while in office. “His heart was so big, and his humanity so great that we often had trouble keeping our official roles apart from our personal friendship,” Clinton said.
Message from space station
Three astronauts on the International Space Station honored Mandela in a video message, with astronaut Karen Nyberg calling him “the symbol of what humankind must strive for: peace, brotherhood and a common goal to better every life on this planet.”
Hospital visitors say Nelson Mandela smiled and nodded Thursday — his 95th birthday — and South Africans celebrated upbeat reports about the former president’s health after weeks of worrying that he was on the verge of death.
Children sang “Happy Birthday” at school assemblies nationwide, and many honored the man known as “the father of the nation” by performing acts of charity for 67 minutes, symbolizing Mandela’s 67 years of public service. World leaders praised the anti-apartheid leader’s life of sacrifice and vision.
Outside the Pretoria hospital where Mandela was admitted for a recurring lung infection, well-wishers paid tribute to him and some received slices of a large birthday cake doled out from inside the compound.
Mandela remains very fragile, and many details of his medical condition have not been divulged or are tightly controlled by his family and President Jacob Zuma. The news that his health had improved was another dramatic turn in the life of a man who became a global figure of sacrifice and reconciliation during the fight against white minority rule in South Africa.
“When I visited him today, I found him really stable, and I was able to say, ‘Happy Birthday,’ and he was able to smile,” Zuma said. His office had recently said Mandela’s condition was critical but stable, but a statement Thursday said he was steadily improving.
Several months ago, Zuma gave an overly optimistic health assessment, but his remarks Thursday were matched by comments from members of Mandela’s family, saying Mandela is making “remarkable progress.” Granddaughter Tukwini Mandela said the day was “bittersweet” for the family.
“Obviously we’re really grateful for people sending us good wishes and being generally supportive, but, you know, my grandfather is not well, he’s in hospital,” she said. “We would have preferred him to actually celebrate this day with us out of the hospital, but we are where we are, and we’re just keeping our heads up and we’re being strong.”
Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who also visited Mandela, described him as “smiling and alert.”
“He opens his eyes and nods, as if to say: ‘I’m here with you and appreciate what you’re doing,’” she said.
Hospitalized since June 8, Mandela’s outlook had seemed increasingly grim until his reported turnaround in recent days. Court documents filed by Mandela’s family earlier this month had said Mandela was on life support.
Another Mandela granddaughter, Ndileka Mandela, poured soup for poor children at a charity event and said her family had been unsure about whether her grandfather would live to see his birthday.
“But because of the fighter that he is, he was able to fight a repressive system, and he was able, through God and everybody’s prayers, to make it today,” she said.
Across the country Thursday, South Africans spent 67 minutes helping others as a tribute to Mandela’s 67 years in public service. Social workers, military commanders and private company employees planted trees, cleaned classrooms and donated food, blankets and other basic necessities in poor areas. Doctors administered eye tests, inoculations and other medical treatments.
Also known by his clan name Madiba, Mandela was jailed for 27 years under apartheid and led a difficult transition to democracy, becoming president in all-race elections in 1994. He served one five-year term, evolving into a global statesman and pursuing charitable causes after that. He retired from public life years ago.
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