South Africa celebrates the 94th anniversary of Nelson Mandela Former political leader was president from 1994 to 1999, after having spent 27 years of apartheid ns cells

Johannesburg - South Africa celebrates on Wednesday the 94th birthday of Nelson Mandela, one day that began with a "Happy Birthday" sung by the students, during which residents are encouraged to perform good deeds in honor of political commitment former leader. In all schools in South Africa, more than 12 million children sang to 08h00 local (3:00 a.m. GMT) a "Happy Birthday" special, followed by "we love you, tata" (love you, Dad). Thanks to the initiative of its founding on July 18 became the "Mandela Day" (the Mandela Day), a date recognized by the UN as a global call to devote 67 minutes of their time to help others, according to the values ​​promoted by the first black president of South Africa Many messages of congratulations came from South Africa and abroad. U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle honored his "unshaken", its "integrity" and "humility." Nelson Mandela will celebrate his birthday with the family at his home in Qunu (southeast), the village of his childhood where he spends most of the time. His picture was on the cover of all South African newspapers on Wednesday, during the visit on the eve of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The leader of the struggle against the racist apartheid regime seemed to be in good health. Nelson Mandela, president from 1994 to 1999, after having spent 27 years ns cells of apartheid, withdrew from political life in 2004. Now appears in public on rare occasions due to health problems.