Teachers and students from The Lukho Lwen School hold cards wishing former South African Nelson Mandela a happy birthday on Mandela Day in Soweto on July 18, 2013. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE 

Johannesburg

The world stands at attention in honour of ailing South African statesman Nelson Mandela as he crosses his 95th birthday mark hospitalised in a critical condition.

South Africans and the world are enthusiastic about celebrating Mr Mandela’s 95th birthday which has arrived as his family and fans crossed their fingers over his poor state of health.

His birthday was designated by the United Nations as the International Mandela Day four years ago.

People around the world are urged to commit 67 minutes – one minute for each year Mr Mandela spent in public life – to deeds that improve the welfare of fellow global citizens.
Mr Mandela remains in Pretoria hospital since June 8 and clocks 41 days where he is undergoing treatment for a lung infection that has left him, according to the latest update by the South African Presidency, “critical but stable.”

His family will be spending the birthday by his bedside, said granddaughters Swati Dlamini and Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway.

“Our grandfather is fine. He’s much better. He’s stable but critical. He’s just a fighter …so… we are just so happy that he’s still with us,” the two granddaughters, who act in the reality show Being Mandela, told HuffPostLive.Com this week in the latest comment on his health from a family member. Every time that our grandfather goes into hospital, we are always concerned and we are always worried. But we know that the world loves him every much and people always want to know how he is doing.
Plans by individuals, groups and governments range from simple acts like baking cakes for children suffering from cancer, to repainting public schools, to delivering cards, flowers and posters to the wall of the Pretoria hospital where Mr Mandela is under treatment to prayer vigils and religious activity.

English Premiere League Side Manchester City is in South Africa to play friendly matches as part of highlighting Mandela Day.

In Tshwane where they will play a friendly, the city has created what they hope will enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest birthday card in the world. They target 10,000 signatures for the card.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Pretoria Patrick Wamoto told the Nation he would be joining South Africa’s International Relations minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in community work at Diepsloot Combined School  in Johannesburg area.

“Apart from taking part in community work that includes cleaning and painting schools, mowing the lawns, fencing and general gardening, I shall contribute photocopy paper to the school’s ,” Mr Wamoto said.
“He remains a fighter now like he was 50 years ago.”“We will not be letting him go – we will be letting God and nature take their course. We are not going to switch off anything or intervene to stop any treatment,” his daughter Zindi Mandela told the Mail on Sunday.

“This is a 94-year-old man who we love, a father and a husband. He is the one choosing to hang around.” She said then that she had been to see him in hospital and told him the plans they were making for his birthday.

Last weekend, former South African President Thabo Mbeki said, who succeeded Mr Mandela as South Africa’s president 14 years ago, added to the optimism on Mr Mandela’s health.
“I know the doctors who are working with him are very good people, very good doctors and I am quite certain one of these days, Madiba will go back home,” Mr Mbeki said.

Scores of media crews, complete with satellite equipment and tents have been camping outside the hospital for the last one month – doing 24 hours shifts – waiting to beam around the world any word on his health.

“All our thoughts at the High Commission of Kenya are with the ailing icon and we pray for his recovery and good health.... If we all emulate Madiba’s humility, Madiba’s compassion and Madiba’s love for humanity then Madiba shall live forever, Mr Wamoto said.Outside the hospital where Mr Mandela is undergoing treatment, well-wishers have been streaming by to say prayers, sing songs, bring flowers or post written words of comfort, prose and poetry and even works of art in their overflowing display of love for the anti-apartheid.
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By MUGUMO MUNENE Nation Reporter AND AFP