Qunu Abuzz With Madiba's Birthday Celebrations

Everything came to a standstill at the former President Nelson Mandela's home on Saturday, where three separate special events took place to commemorate the icon, described by national and international figures as a man of his own word.

The 90th birthday celebrations, which kicked off on Saturday, took place at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mvezo, at another museum sight in Qunu, while the main event was held at Madiba's home in Qunu along the N2 to Mthatha.

Speaking exclusively to BuaNews, Nelson Mandela Museum Council Chairman Kader Asmal said this year's celebrations were significant as they tried to involve all parts of the community.

"This is a very exciting moment for the whole world today; it is a privilege and honour for us to celebrate this beautiful day with someone like Madiba.

"We urge him to stay with us for many years to come, he is very wonderful," Professor Asmal told BuaNews on Saturday.

Elderly women from neighbouring villages sang and ululated outside the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mvezo, while children wearing traditional clothes entertained guest at the launch of the Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks Children's Letters Exhibition.

Nomangesi Mntuwaphi, 87, of Mvezo Village said she was happy to be chanting and celebrating a birthday of someone who has always outdone himself as a South African ambassador worldwide.

"I am here because I want to say happy birthday to intang'am (someone of the same age group), we wish him many, many more years to come," Ms Mntuwaphi told BuaNews on Saturday.

The dignitaries, in the main event (at Mr Mandela's Qunu home), included President Thabo Mbeki, first lady Zanele Mbeki, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu her mother and brother, veteran struggle icon Mama Albertina Sisulu and Max Sisulu, and former Transport Minister Mac Maharaj.

Mr Mandela's famous former lawyer in the 1962 Revonia Trial, Advocate George Bizos, former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, Ahmed Kathranda, Member of Parliament Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi and King Goodwill Zwelithini, were among the guest list.

After Madiba's private function late Saturday afternoon, Mr Mandela and his wife Graca Machel visited the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu where people from neighbouring villages, locally and throughout the world were waiting to see Madiba.

Visibly looking tired and exhausted, Mr Mandela open his back window and waved at the uncontrollable crowd where everyone wanted to shake his hand but did not make any address before he was driven off back to his house.

Mr Mandela's birthday celebrations were to bid farewell to public life as he wanted to spend the rest of his life with his family.

Luyanda Makapela Qunu