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]

Nelson Mandela was one of the most charismatic leaders of the 20th and 21st century. He will surely be missed by his people and the world. May he rest in peace and may people carry forward his work.
celebrities died on birthday