This year will mark the first time the day has been celebrated without Madiba, and the fifth year since the UN declared July 18 – the birthday of the anti-apartheid revolutionary – the international day aimed at "bringing people together to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation."

Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, Transkei, on 18 July 1918. His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, principal counsellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo. In 1930, when he was 12 years old, his father died and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni.*

Hearing the elders’ stories of his ancestors’ valour during the wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people....WHICH HE EVENTUALLY DID.

He died on the 5th of December 2013 (aged 95).

What else can be said of this GREAT AFRICAN LEADER?

[size=16pt]HBD MADIBA...even as you rest in the bosom of our Lord.[/size]

Isn't he dead?...Why are you giving birthday wishes to a man who's corpse's probably decayed by now?.

Why to a dead man nah..

A great man.

the greatest African legend
HBD and RIP

Okay nice, but, does this mean that he's 96 and has lived one more year. Can anyone explain why someone who's dead get to celebrate a Birthday? I mean he's Dead. If he's birthday is still celebrated, what about his death day?

#farts and leave room#

Why not leave the innocent man to rest in peace
He has seen and been through a lot while alive

glitest: Isn't he dead?...Why are you giving birthday wishes to a man who's corpse's probably decayed by now?.

Honor to whom honor is due

Hbd Madiba...A Legend!

The living and the dead have nothing in common. Let him be.

Yay!

Abi wetin make we do na?
Well, to whom honor is due,it should be given. Respect!

justi4jesu: Why to a dead man nah..

Same reason nigeria observes public holidays on every June 12

Mandela. Greatest african crook of all time. RIP. You deserve it.

He was a great man

.

ok

Happy birthday Mandela ..RIP

phayvoursky: The living and the dead have nothing in common. Let him be.

Do ur family observe a remembrance party-like for ur late granny(s)?
(dont take it personal; its just a question)

happy bd

how I wished our Leaders be great so as to be celebrated like Madiba

HBD

HBD Madiba! No matter how good or bad one is, death is gonna take you away.

Misterc:
Same reason nigeria observes public holidays on every June 12

Hmmmm okay oh, so when is Aliyah's birthday becos me still dread dat babe

HBD MADIBA........even as you rest in the bosom of our Lord. RIP

great man! I learned his story when I was a little kid! Life for him is hard but wonderful! Actually Google shows a Doodle for him now

This man is so inspiring, that I feel angry with death for taking him before I get a chance to meet him. But then, being remembered as a great is something I hope to achieve and so you all will remember and celebrate me when I'm gone. Thank God you lived Mandiba; you still live through your legacy.
#becomingimmortal.

Hhhhhhhhhhh

macsika: Okay nice, but, does this mean that he's 96 and has lived one more year. Can anyone explain why someone who's dead get to celebrate a Birthday? I mean he's Dead. If he's birthday is still celebrated, what about his death day?

His birth and death day will all be celebrated, thats what you get for becoming a legend. Just awesome!

Once a Legend....Always a Legend!!!


#Respect! #HBDMadiba #RIP