South Africa celebrates Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday

[News_Editor]

South Africa celebrates Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday

2011-07-18 21:51:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (BNO NEWS) -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela on Monday celebrated his 93rd birthday in his home village in South Africa, where millions of children joined the celebration by singing 'Happy Birthday.'

Mandela, of Mvezo, the first president of South Africa to be elected democratically and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been constantly recognized for his endless battle against racial segregation within and beyond the borders of his country. Last year, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Laureate International Universities network to add to his more than 250 awards.

Madiba, as Mandela is oftentimes called, was honored by the United Nations (UN) in November 2009, when it announced the marking of the first-ever Nelson Mandela Day (July 18). On Monday morning, some 12 million South African children honored the former President by singing 'Happy Birthday' before classes began.

President Jacob Zuma personally visited Mandela at his residence where a brass band played, while U.S. President Barack Obama also sent his best wishes.

"Madiba continues to be a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation," President Barack Obama said. "On behalf of the people of the United States, we congratulate Nelson Mandela, and honor his vision for a better world."

President Obama, First Lady Michelle, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, recently met Madiba during an official visit to South Africa that focused on service, youth leadership, education and healthy living.

"Their time with Madiba was the most moving part of their trip," Obama noted. "Mandela's legacy exemplifies wisdom, strength and grace, and on the anniversary of his birth we salute the example of his life," adding that Mandela showed his own people, and the world, the path to justice, reconciliation and democracy.

Before being elected as President, Mandela was a strong anti-apartheid activist and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress. He spent 27 years in prison after he was arrested and convicted in 1962 of 'sabotage' crimes and other charges, and sentenced to life in prison. Much of his prison term was served on Robben Island.

Mandela was released on February 11, 1990 and became president only four years later, leading the country with a multi-racial administration.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-18

[EnSvenskTiger]

Oh! I rememberthose days when we came around the Cape Aghulas in the VLLC tankers and playedthe song ” Freeeeeee Nelson Mandela!” on the VHF ch16 as we passed Cape Townand Robben Island!

Soon we had the SA airplanes, mostly DC3s as I recall, around

our ships and we showed them our index finger!

Imaginethat man! They stole 27+ years from his life and he is not and has never showeda single moment of hate or want for revenge!

What ahero! What a statesman!

[Huey]

Who says only the good die young?

Happy Birthday Madiba and thank you!

[geriatrickid]

Oh! I rememberthose days when we came around the Cape Aghulas in the VLLC tankers and playedthe song " Freeeeeee Nelson Mandela!" on the VHF ch16 as we passed Cape Townand Robben Island!

Soon we had the SA airplanes, mostly DC3s as I recall, around

our ships and we showed them our index finger!

Imaginethat man! They stole 27+ years from his life and he is not and has never showeda single moment of hate or want for revenge!

What ahero! What a statesman!

He has neither claimed to be a hero, nor a statesman.

I believe he is haunted by the reign of terror that his ex wife Winnie conducted in his name. Many loyal supporters of Mandela suffered cruel fates which included the infamous necklacing. He didn't speak out against her until it was too late.He could have stopped the slaughter but did not. He has yet to set the record straight on the issue although he has expressed regret.

[EnSvenskTiger]

And probably thanks to this icon in history SA is now the "S" in BRICS!

Well done SA.

And a huge happy birthday Nelson.

Tiger

Edit! If you havent seen the movie Juventus, directed by C Eastwood, do soo now!

Edited July 19, 2011 by EnSvenskTiger

[endure]

Oh! I rememberthose days when we came around the Cape Aghulas in the VLLC tankers and playedthe song ” Freeeeeee Nelson Mandela!” on the VHF ch16 as we passed Cape Townand Robben Island!

So you blocked an International Distress channel playing music?

[SteeleJoe]

He's no saint but he is a hero to me...and I can think of few, if any, who I'd feel are deserving a long life more than he. (Especially given how much of it he had to spend without his liberty).

[EnSvenskTiger]

Oh! I rememberthose days when we came around the Cape Aghulas in the VLLC tankers and playedthe song " Freeeeeee Nelson Mandela!" on the VHF ch16 as we passed Cape Townand Robben Island!

So you blocked an International Distress channel playing music?

We used and blocked not only Ch 16 but EVERY channel and mean that was available to us at that time! And it worked!

It made a difference!

The man was freed and thenation was rid of apartheid, and today it's a success. Well I'm no bigger fool then to realize there are still problems but ..!

What nation doesn't have that? But they sure don't have an international hero like Mandela!

Tiger

Edited July 19, 2011 by EnSvenskTiger

[endure]

Oh! I rememberthose days when we came around the Cape Aghulas in the VLLC tankers and playedthe song " Freeeeeee Nelson Mandela!" on the VHF ch16 as we passed Cape Townand Robben Island!

So you blocked an International Distress channel playing music?

We used and blocked not only Ch 16 but EVERY channel and mean that was available to us at that time! And it worked!

You should have lost your ticket and been fired from your job. Ships in distress rely on a clear channel 16 to call for help.

[EnSvenskTiger]

Oh! I rememberthose days when we came around the Cape Aghulas in the VLLC tankers and playedthe song " Freeeeeee Nelson Mandela!" on the VHF ch16 as we passed Cape Townand Robben Island!

So you blocked an International Distress channel playing music?

We used and blocked not only Ch 16 but EVERY channel and mean that was available to us at that time! And it worked!

You should have lost your ticket and been fired from your job. Ships in distress rely on a clear channel 16 to call for help.

Well Mandela was denied the use of ANY channel and not able to call for help so we used the available channels to help him!

But not to derail this happy birthday thread any further lets continue on PM shall we?

Tiger

Edited July 19, 2011 by EnSvenskTiger

[endure]

But not to derail this happy birthday thread any further lets continue on PM shall we?

No thanks. I don't have anything to say to someone who ignores SOLAS regulations and puts the lives of his fellow seafarers at risk.

[EnSvenskTiger]

But not to derail this happy birthday thread any further lets continue on PM shall we?

No thanks. I don't have anything to say to someone who ignores SOLAS regulations and puts the lives of his fellow seafarers at risk.

You sure as h**l had a lot to say so far! Not about Mandela thou.

Tiger

[koheesti]

So you blocked an International Distress channel playing music?

We used and blocked not only Ch 16 but EVERY channel and mean that was available to us at that time! And it worked!

You should have lost your ticket and been fired from your job. Ships in distress rely on a clear channel 16 to call for help.

Well Mandela was denied the use of ANY channel and not able to call for help so we used the available channels to help him!

But not to derail this happy birthday thread any further lets continue on PM shall we?

Tiger

And you're the same guy who thinks the Chinese gov't doesn't monitor Internet traffic. The world truly is a dangerous place.

[EnSvenskTiger]

Well.....happy birthday Mandela!

Tiger

[cdnvic]

In any case, it was years ago, please get back on topic, and argue points of radio protocol elsewhere.

[Ulysses G.]

[They stole 27+ years from his life and he is not and has never showeda single moment of hate or want for revenge

He probably deserved the time he did as he was a terrorist. However, he has handled himself admirably since being released and has turned into an inspirational figure.

[Bizz]

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

Communists have always played an active role in the fight by colonial countries for their freedom, because the short-term objects of Communism would always correspond with the long-term objects of freedom movements.

Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders.

I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.

I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.

If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

In my country we go to prison first and then become President.

It always seems impossible until its done.

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.

Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.

Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.

Well if you came this far guess whom wrote this Nelson Mandela.

[SAffer]

But not to derail this happy birthday thread any further lets continue on PM shall we?

No thanks. I don't have anything to say to someone who ignores SOLAS regulations and puts the lives of his fellow seafarers at risk.

Yes, but just think- these guys are directly responsible for getting Mandela freed!!

Not.