Dear Mr Mandela ...
Welcome to the official Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book, page 16
Nelson Mandela turned 85 on 18 July 2003 - and you, and you, and you ... sent him 17 842 birthday messages via the official Mandela 85th Birthday website.
A selection of your messages has been published in this Book. See the box on the right for the full list of pages.
Bang! Round 1. Madiba is trying to push forward, the opponent is not giving him a single chance. Round 2. Diba is throwing every punch now but still the opponent is coming forward. Ohh! he is caught by a left hook, he is down. The referee is counting up to 9, ohh shame he is up again. Round 10. Diba is coming slowly with a lot of footwork and throwing hard punches. The opponent is holding and also bleeding. Last 30 seconds, Madiba is moving around the ring throwing everything. The opponent is down and the referee is counting up to 10. Ohh!! apartheid is knocked
out!!! The whole house is on its feet now cheering for a new world champion. Happy Birthday tatomkhulu, ngaske ndikugalele ityuwa ungaboli silindele lukhulu kuwe Zondwa.
S. Madwanya
King William's Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa
All from Masisizane wish you well. May you have many more than you have now. Your achievements and your humility mean a lot to people. You make us wish for more Mandelas!
Anna Mofokeng
Ivory Park, Gauteng, South Africa
It is such an honour to wish you well on this special day. Wow, 85 years and still going strong! Being a part of the 'old regime' - we were State President’s Guards for Mr PW Botha in 1986 - the transformation the country has gone through has
always interested us. What more can we say than that today, we are truly proud to be South African! In building our own company from nothing to where we are today, you have always been a great inspiration to us. Your leadership skills and compassion have been a great example for us to follow with our own workforce. We hope that you have a fantastic year! Happy Birthday!
Riaan and Andre van Helsdingen
Meyerton, Gauteng, South Africa
Iyabulel'ilali Madiba.
Dr Clarence Mini
Bedfordview, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday, you are a man amongst men. "Black Moses" we have rights because of you. You changed our lives.
Bonginkosi Nkosi
Durban, Gauteng, South Africa
Our Role model, Our African father, Mr Nelson Mandela. You have inspired us to fight for our rights and happiness. We are blessed to have had an inspirational leader like you. Thank you Mr
Mandela, happy 85th birthday! South Africa has benefited from your reign.
Hayley Vollmer
Kensington, Gauteng, South Africa
Baie dankie vir wat u vir ons land gedoen het. Dit is deur u toedoen dat ek en my kinders kan uitsien na 'n wonderlike toekoms onder die Suid Afrikaanse son! Baie geluk!
Pieter Human
Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa
Mr Mandela, GOD put you on earth for a purpose, which I must add that you carried out with a lot of purpose and humility. May GOD grant you a healthier and longer life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, wish you were STILL our President.
Mohamed Hassam
Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Sitting where I sit, working where I work, living where I live, free at last, wouldn't have been, had it not been for the sacrifice and dedication you and those who shared that common vision of this our beloved South Africa, May God bless you
on this special day.
Willie Mathebula
Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday Tata. We are what we are today because of your courage and strength. Our brothers and sisters with HIV-Aids are getting better when they hear you speaking. You are the icon. I wish you a happy and healthy birthday and life. Your spirit is always in me, live long Tata. Happy birthday! Happy birthday!
Godfrey Maoko
Tembisa, Gauteng, South Africa
Wishing you a Happy Birthday and may your days be filled with happiness.
Krish Gengan
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Madiba! I hope your 85th birthday brings as much to you as you have brought to others! Have a fantastic day.
Allison Cooper
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
We are all humbled by your humility, your courage and generosity of spirit. Have the happiest
birthday ever Tata. We All love you.
Maluta Tshivhase
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Best wishes to you and your family, Your way of keeping positive has been of great inspiration to me in my life.
Annemarie Zacho
Denmark
All the best and may you inspire many many more.
Kanoo Nana
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Have a peaceful birthday and may God be with you always.
Nompumelelo Mary Jele
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa
I guess you had to go through the hardships you went through for our beautiful country to be delivered from the atrocious and dehumanising system that characterised our nation. A man like you comes around once in a lifetime. I am so honoured it happened in my lifetime and that I can tell the world you are my compatriot.
Have a Blessed Birthday Mr. President, Father of the real Free
World.
Obakeng Khutsoane
Rustenburg, North West, South Africa
Nelson Mandela, thank you for being such a wonderful person. You are an inspiration to all our people. May you be blessed!
Henriette Butcher and family
Thabazimbi, South Africa
A Birthday wish for a MAN among men and the LONG living father of the 21st Century. Madiba, Happy Birthday, GOD Bless you Always.
Alvin Lee Chetty
Pietermaritzburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Yo Dibas! O lesogana la nnete monna. Lefase le mahlatse ka gore o sale yo monnyane kudu, ka moo leeto la gago mo lefaseng e sale le letelele ka mokgwa wa go makatsa. May you live until three days after eternity. You simply are THE` MAN. Happy BIRTHDAY SON.
Sam Mpherwane
Wits University, Gauteng, South Africa
Without your vision and leadership, South Africa would not be where it is
today.
Johannes Sekgobela
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
I wish you a very happy and blessed birthday. May your days be filled with joy and happiness, just like the happiness and joy you spread wherever you go. May God's blessings be with you each and every day, and may your example of forgiveness and good inspire many more. Enjoy your birthday and don't ever change.
With lots of love from me and my husband.
Petra Siljeur
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
May you on your birthday have your WISH.
Dikaelo Maropola
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy Birthday Tata, you have been an inspiration to all and a father to Africa. Africa is blessed to have produced a magnificent person as you, you sacrificed your whole being to give the best to the grandchildren of this country. Thank you and have a day full of blessings and
laughter.
Jacqueline Mafenya
Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy Birthday Nelson, thank you for everything you have done for us, for humanity, you are indeed a blessing to all of mankind. May God spare you many more.
Melanie Hendricks
Bryanston, Gauteng, South Africa
Madiba, Baie geluk met u nuwe lewens jaar. Mag God u nog baie seën in hierdie pragtige land, Dankie dat U die mense en spesiaal vir die kinders waarvoor u baie lief is, rondom u inspireer met u ongelooflike gesindheid van liefde en vrede.
Baie Geluk!
J.J.Robbertse (Robby)
Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa
May God give you many more years to live as we still need you amongst us for advice and the spirit of togetherness.
Lorraine Kganakga
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Congratulations Mr Mandela, my husband always says that you are a
living legend, may God bless you for many years to come with good health and love, you are the best example of LOVE ON THIS EARTH! HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!
LOVE
Mundi Labuschagne
Windhoek, Namibia
Ntate Mandela, ha ho ya tshwanang le wena. In this era I am one of the lucky ones to have lived and known you as my leader. Your work towards human kind is immeasurable, nothing can equal it. You are a good example of a person who has lived his life fully. May God bless you more here and after. Happy birthday, Tata.
Keke Khoza
Randfontein, Gauteng, South Africa
Impilo Enhle nemnandi Tata. uNkulunkulu akubusise. Ukhule.
Phindile Zwane
Killarney, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday and may God help you to reach 100 or even 150.
Ernest Makhubedu
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy Birthday, Madiba. You will remain a
source of inspiration to both young and old. Unfortunately there can never be any Nelson Mandela in this life again! We, young people, love you to bits!
I now challenge you to reach 100!
Thabiso Masedi
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Qhawe lama Qhawe. I respect and honour you. Have a great day & continue with your reconciliatory statements especially now the world is facing warmongers. Bayethe kumnkani! Sabelo
Sabelo Xotyeni
Langa, Cape Town, South Africa
Hola o hole o kake Tlou. You are a King out of Kings. Yes you are from the royal family. May god bless you and give you strength.
Levy Sello Tlou Chipu
Johannesburg, South Africa
I would like to wish you well and all of the best, Son of the Soil. I believe and trust that our African ancestors are proud of you wherever they are. Africa will prosper - thank you. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Peace be with you Tata.
Pogisho Maine
Cape Town, South Africa
Happy Birthday Tata, you are such an incredible man who will always be in our hearts. You are most loved by the nation for your passion at what you do best. May God grant you eternal life with your wife. You are our pillar. Luv always - Thapi.
Mathapelo P Molefe
Tsakane, Brakpan, South Africa
Happy birthday old man. I have learnt so much from you. Firstly, education is the key to success, and that we are all equal, respect each other black and white together. We all love you Mr Mandela. Ukhole Uso Khokhobe. And enjoy your birthday, Comrade.
Salome Phosa
Tembisa, South Africa
Feliz Cumpleaños, y que Dios te de muchos mas, para acompañar a tu Pueblo.
Ignacio Valero
Madrid, Spain
Thank you for putting our great country over yourself and for showing us that it
is possible to live together above our own prejudices. Have a great birthday and may you reach every dream that your heart desires.
Jerome Govender
Durban, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba!
Vinil Sukdeo
Durban, South Africa
Dear Madiba, you have been an inspiration to my family and me. You have been a power of strength by showing us with patience, love, understanding and sincerity that we can achieve our dreams and make them a reality. Happy Birthday and may God grant you health and many more birthdays.
Ashnee Chettiar
Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday, Madiba. Thank you for all you've done for us and South Africa. Best wishes and lots love.
Margriet, Audrey, Liesl & Melanie
Cape Town, South Africa
Thank you for the time you have given us all. If only we could turn the clock back!!! Many happy returns on this
your 85th birthday. I hope you and your family enjoy it to the hilt. Sincere regards.
Laurence, Shelley & Connor Meenehan
Ireland
Happy Birthday, Madiba. I wish you a wonderful day. May God bless you to reach 100 years. Thanx very much for what you have done for SA, especially the youths.
Lebohang Maseko
Thembisa, South Africa
Tata Madiba, You are the father of the nation, You are the touch and the shining star of the African continent. Africa has now: freedom, dignity, love, respect, hope, courage and winning spirit, all because of you. May God be with you on your Birthday.
Goitsemang Magonare.
Soweto, South Africa
When I was young there was news about you, and when the time came for me to be an adult I saw your importance to me and my continent. To me you are not a leader because there are many leaders, but you are my inspiration when things get tough and
also a HERO to my soul. When all leaders are running away from the truth you don't care to stand alone and face the reality. Yanga impilo yakho inganda yaye izale ziziyolo ukwenzela okokuba uhlale ungumzekelo ophilayo kweli limagad'ahlabayo".Enkosi
Maxwell Mbundwini
South Africa
Mnr Mandela, baie geluk met u verjaarsdag. Ons wens vir u is goeie gesondheid, vreugde en vrede. U is n rolmodel vir baie mense.
M Bredenkamp
Pretoria, South Africa
To the greatest man alive, happy birthday.
Brad
Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy birthday from a small but active group informing people here about South Africa (former anti-apartheid-group). We admire you and wish you a happy birthday and all the best for your many activities, and best health!!!
Dr.Peter Schroeder
Germany
"We don't have an eternity to realize our dreams, only
the time we are here." Mr Mandela, happy birthday. You made it easier for us to realise our dreams. Love by all...
R.Jekels
Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Ulwe impi yobuqhawe; wadela impilo yakho ulwela isizwe esimpisholo. Singelikhohlwe igalelo lakho ezimpilweni zethu. Ube nosuku lokuzalwa olunentokozo 'tata'. Sengathi zingafezeka zonke izifiso zakho. Ume njalo, Madiba!
Mpume
Pretoria
May God bless you and your family always. Thank you for what you have done for the world.
Lorraine Watson
Treasure Beach, Durban, South Africa
Happy birthday to you, father of our nation, I wish I could deduct 60 yrs from your age so that you can continue living without aches and pains as you grow up. You're such an inspiration. Loving you and learning from you makes life worth living. I love you and may God bless you on your birthday and in future. Happy birthday tat'u
Mandela ndiyaziqhenya ngawe.
Thembela Hini
Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Happy birthday Tata. We thank you for everything you did for us as South Africans living in Lesotho. May your birthday be the best day you ever had. Khula tata siya bonga, long live Madiba
Mendi Phashe
Maseru-east, Lesotho
Madiba omkhulu Tata, happy birthday. You are an inspiration to all and you have certainly instilled in me an immense pride to be African. Thank you for everything and have a great birthday! You really made us proud as South Africans. May God bless you Madiba, Ngqolomsila, Velabembhentsela!!
Thanduxolo Bonongo
Guguletu, Cape Town, South Africa
Happy birthday, Madiba. May God bless you and increase your days once more. Enjoy your day, sir. Thank you.
Eric Wa-Motsumi
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Happy birthday,
Madiba. Thanks for being there for us.(I am the sister of Jannie Momberg - ambassador to Greece). I would give anything to meet you and shake your hand. Lots of love.
Annatjie Botes
Pretoria, South Africa
Dear, dear Madiba, you and your great heart for reconciliation and the togetherness of peoples who had been so tragically separated, have made us so very proud to be South African. May God overwhelm you with His love.
Ralph and Christine Jarvis
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Happy Birthday Tata ukhule ungakhokhobi, we still need you.
Thenjiswa Alicia Mooi
Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
You are inspirational. I hope we will give you reason to relax by taking over from where you left off.
Michael Mkwanazi
Walkerville, Gauteng, South Africa
Congratulations! Wishing you many more happy
days of freedom. Thank you so much for your inspiration and everything that you have done for the cause of Irish freedom over the many long years and the encouragement that you have given us. Also, thank you for two great speeches while you were here recently for the 2003 Special Olympics games. I hope you enjoyed your time and the games here as much as the rest of us did. Happy Birthday.
Ciarán Johnston
Ireland
Happy birthday, Father of Africa. You showed us the light and led the way. You are a saint who was God sent. Thank you Tata, we will never forget what you've done for your people. Africa showers your being with its blessings.
Khauhelo Mopeli
Gauteng, South Africa
Thanks for your dedication to the New Humanity (Ubuntu). The African Renaissance and the New South Africa requires the New Humanity. Happy Birthday ku guga o thandayo.
Jacob Maluleka
Dobsonville, Soweto, South
Africa
Happy birthday, Madiba. I wish you health & happiness for years to come. You are our hero the world over; our vision of hope, an inspiration for the nations of the world. You are simply the best, the greatest human that ever walked the surface of our planet. Long live tate Madiba, long live the Madiba magic.
Martin
Nababeep, Northern Cape, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many people and making us proud to be South African!
Linda Cross
Pretoria, South Africa
Tatu Madiba, this is from me & my family we love you so much, may God keep you I don't know until when, you are really a blessing to the world. You've done a lot for the nation, Angazi ukuba ngithini, if you were a king I would simply say "Inkosi ayiqedwa". Happy Birthday Tatu Madiba. I say it again I and my family, WE LOVE YOU, Sir.
Khulu
Dlamini,
Winchester Hills, Johannesburg, South Africa
Beste Mnr Mandela, Baie, baie geluk met u 85ste verjaardag! Mag die Here u nog lank spaar. Dankie vir u mooi voorbeeld van vergewensgesindheid! Ek wens u gesondheid en alles wat mooi is toe, vir die jare wat nog voorlê! Geniet 'n gelukkige 85ste verjaardag!
Cecile Stemmet
Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa
You are the ultimate inspiration. It will take us all of our lifetimes to truly realise the incredible influence that you have had on our country, and on the people of this planet. I honour you on this your 85th birthday. I have hoped for years, and still hope sincerely to meet you one day.
Kathy English Brower
Cape Town, South Africa
Dear Madiba From the Royal Kraal to the humiliation of prison, yet unselfishly & silently you fought for your principles. You sacrificed the best years
of your life so that all South Africans could celebrate the glory of democracy. You are a man among men, respected and admired the world over. Long may you live to continue your chosen desire to bring peace, goodwill, prosperity and good health to all mankind. Happy 85th Birthday.
Harry Gihwala & family
Cape Town, South Africa
Happy birthday Grandaddy, even though you are ageing I hope that you will never retire from fund raising for the needy children.
Thabile Banda
Protea North, Soweto, South Africa
Halala, Tata! May your spirit of humanness be upon mankind long after you! Izilotho ezinhle, Madiba!
Spokes Mashiyane
Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday MADIBA!!! You are a great inspiration for me and my little girl. We love you and have a wonderfull day!!!
Jolandie and Amor Cruz
Witbank, Mpumalanga, South
Africa
Tata you are an inspirational person to me & other youth. I thank God for giving you such wisdom and blessing you with so many years. Ndithi Halala Sopitsho, enjoy your day.
Joyce
Cape Town, South Africa
Tata Madiba, you are our shinning star, your forgiving manner has taught me that I can be forgiving also. Keep on shining and inspire many people, so that we can live in a peaceful world. May you have many birthdays to come, we wish you better health, Madiba.
Nozipho Ndaba
Dube, Soweto, South Africa
To the greatest leader the world has ever seen. Thank you for your spirit of Ubuntu and for making us all Proudly South African. Happy Birthday - we hope you have a fantastic day!
Andrew & Natasha Panzera & family
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tata Mandela, You are the Father of the entire African continent. An inspiration
and role model to Africans of all ages and races. You make us feel proud to be Africans. Your philosophy alone has changed the way the rest of the world perceives Africa. Wishing you a happy birthday and God's blessings. LONG LIVE MADIBA.
Catherine Kadzamira Mgangira
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
I can just imagine how MADIBA feels right now. Probably thinking back in the days when he thought they might not make it as freedom fighters. And that twinkle of faith he had calmed his pessimism! Today HE may think that people are just fussing over this old man, No! I would like to say that people are not fussing! I may have not been around during the times of the greatest leaders this world has seen, your Ghandi's...and others but I want my birthday wish to be counted because I believe that MADIBA is the greatest.
Tabisa Konyashe
Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa
You are the hope and strength of a
black man. You stand for the truth and fought for the freedom of human race. As you celebrate your 85th birthday, I wish you many more years and happy returns.
David William
Mulhouse, France
Happy Birthday Mr Mandela. Your remarkable achievements are an inspiration to all. I hope that once all the celebrations are over, you will be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy your birthday knowing that through you, the world is a better place.
Wayne Wheatley
Pomona, South Africa
Thank you for all the years you have given this country. Each birthday of yours represents a new year of possibility for South Africa!
Kelsey Boyce
Durban, South Africa
Our Revered Father of the Nation, thank you for guiding us to this blessed democracy, peace and prosperity. For that we are thankful. We pray that your birthday on the 18th July is blessed with all the wishes that you wish
for. Happy Birthday.
Sanjay Balkaran
Verulam, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Hope you have a great day! The greatest hope and dream for South Africa has been realised through you and you are an incentive to any person and nation that is suffering. I remember a time when it was said that a Black Man will never be a leader in South Africa. You have proven the world wrong. All my love, Nazli (I am your ardent follower).
Nazli Hoossen
Australia
Heyta Madiba Heyta! Thanks to God for blessing you with such generosity of life. In the face of the storm you decided not to build a fortress for your own protection but you saw the opportunity to build a windmill so that water of freedom and peace will flow to generations of South Africa and the world. On Friday when Madiba is partying, South Africa will be dancing. As a young person in this new South Africa, you gave us a new beginning.
Bongani
Ngobese
Durban, South Africa
Happy Birthday grandpa, we love you and my God bless you in years to come.
Zolani and Sagwadi Nkuna
Leondale, Germiston, South Africa
Thank you for bringing us peace, freedom and honour. Your integrity and courage is an inspiration to us all every day.
Flo Bird
Johannesburg, South Africa
As much as I'm one who does not look up to MAN (humankind) as role models, I must admit I have great respect for you Dad for I always get touched by the selflessness and service you offer to mankind. That to me portrays the greater, inner person you mostly are. It takes a higher, divine inspiration for someone to be WHO you are. You are a rock to many and a living example for all to look beyond the obvious. May the Almighty grant you peace, love, joy and harmony in all aspects of your life. May the Wisdom you carry flow through the entire universe.
With much love on your birthday.
Wenda Fina
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
I am glad my son shares a birthday with Madiba for which I call him Ntatemogolo. Happy Birthday Madiba and my son Amogelang. You are the greatest and the best, Madiba. God bless.
Virginia Matlala
Temba, North West Province, South Africa
The Nkonyane family is grateful for enjoying the fruits of your efforts and would like to thank and wish you a long and happy life. Happy birthday our Madiba.
Vusi Nkonyane
Spruitview, South Africa
You gave me the best gift anyone could receive for their birthday and that is freedom. My birthday is on 27 April. When you walked out of prison, you did not only free a specific race group, but a nation.
May God continue to bless you and keep you. You will always be a very special hero to me.
Barbara Tifflin
Durban, South
Africa
Happy 85th birthday! Wish you were still President. Enjoy life, you earned it!
Andre de Munnink
Istanbul, Turkey
Tatomkhulu, Ngangelizwe, sibevubevu, may the best day give more life to the one annointed for the poor, dispossessed, abused, lonely and those who still quest for freedom. Peace is oxygen in your blood, God bless and best wishes from a humble young man.
Duma Magxwalisa
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
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The Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book:
