Dear Mr Mandela ...
Welcome to the official Nelson Mandela Birthday 85th Message Book, page 17
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.
Happy Birthday, Tata. Long live our greatest hero. This generation will not let you down. The struggle continues and like you said, “Never Again”! Camagu!
Zola
Johannesburg, South Africa
Madiba has been, and will remain, our hope and inspiration, and long may this continue. We wish our 'leader' the happiest of all birthdays!
Joel Stransky
South Africa
Dear Madiba, Thank you for giving us our Rainbow Nation. Travel Buddy and eblockwatch 14 000 members are committed to keeping our colours shining
brightly. You have sprinkled your magic and have made us proud to be South Africans. South Africa loves you and we let every international visitor know you belong to us. Happy Birthday. From A VERY proud South African.
Andre Snyman
Johannesburg, South Africa
Your dedication and commitment to better the lives of South Africa's poor and the disadvantaged is a wonderful inspiration to us all. May you take some time of to be with that special person/s that means so much to you. Happy birthday Tata. May God give us more people like you.
Donovan Cloete
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
"Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition" - Alexander Smith (1830-1867). Madiba, our leader, you have led us to self-knowledge, self-forgiveness and self-respect. No greater gift can be given to mankind. Words are not enough to thank you for this. Only our ongoing
success as a Rainbow Nation will be a big enough reward ... Happy Birthday to our century's greatest statesman, greatest hero and greatest visionary.
Michelle Trimborn
Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Beste Mnr Mandela, Mag die Allerhoogste God u ryklik seën in hierdie lewensjaar! Personally my wish for you is happiness and peace.
Bertus van Schalkwyk
UK
Sir, I am continuously inspired and energized by your life and as a young African committed to the struggle for peace, equality and prosperity I hope that I would one day be able to leave as much of a print as you have on our world. Happy Birthday and God Bless!
Oghogho Edomwonyi
New York, USA
Mnr Die President. Baie Geluk met nog 'n mylpaal. Mag die Here jou seën en jou bystaan sodat jy weer die wette wat wet en orde ondersteun het in die land implimenteer en bepleit sodat ons weer in vrede en veiligheid kan lewe. Hamba Gahle. Mooi
loop.
Derick Maree
Pretoria, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, Tata you are an inspiration to me, my children and grandchildren. You have done so much for us and continually do so. You will always be our President. May God bless you abundantly on your 85th birthday and may he strenghten you daily. Enjoy your day. WE LOVE YOU!
Nola Ogle and family
Johannesburg, South Africa
I believe heaven must be missing an angel and I'm happy that we are honoured to have that angel with us here on earth. You've gone through thick and thin for 85 years and I hope and wish for an extension to your stay with us here on planet earth. I wish you a happy birthday, God Bless you.
Tyelovuyo Ngabase
Mpoza, Mt Frere, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Dear Madiba, You remind me of my father. Always humble, honest and a pleasure to everyone you come in contact with. Congratulations on your birthday! May the Lord spare you
for the nation and give you health as you are the light of South Africa.
Isabelle Kitching
Pretoria, South Africa
You are our hero, freedom fighter, role model and our dear father. Happy birthday Baba, o gole o gogobe. We love love Tata!
Penyane Clement
Pretoria, South Africa
Madiba, may you continue for many more years to inspire us with your presence and gentle philosophy. Have a wonderful birthday.
Chris Wiseman
Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa
Dear Mr Nelson Mandela, thanks for all you have done to transform our beautiful country. Happy birthday Sir and may you be blessed with good health for many more marvelous years.
Peter Glasgow
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Bravo great son of Africa, your spirit of courage and steadfastness supercedes that of an ordinary man. Thank God for such greatness and courage in you, more grease to your elbow,
long live Nelson, long live Africa.
Rev Philip Gladstone Addo
Cotonou, Republic of Benin
Dear Madiba, Happy Birthday. We wish you all of life's richest blessings and may our Father in Heaven spare you many more years. Thanks for your forgiving spirit, we've learned a lot from you. Love u.
Richard and Joe-Anne Marcus
Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa
Congratulations Rolihlahla - the wiseman of Africa, May the spirits of the dead and living Africans at "home" and in the diaspora bless you with Good health and Long life. You are a perfect symbol of an "African God" to worship by generations. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Rolihlahla!!!
Andy Mensah
Ghana
Happy birthday Madiba, and may you have a wonderful day. Thank you for just being you. God Bless...
Willem Farmer
Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
Dear Tata, hope you have a wonderful day! I am so proud to be a South
African and to be one of the children of such a great leader and country! You give many Africans pride to stand tall and rise above all the injustices of the past. PS. My grandmother shares a birthday with you and is so proud of it!
Annchen Saaiman
Kristiansand, Norway
Thank you for being you. Thank you for all the opportunities that you have brought about. Thank you for making us proud about our accent. uYisikhokho, hola 7.
Abe, Olive and Tsegofatso Letsoalo
Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday to you, I'm honoured to share my birthday with you and can only pray that I may some day share your character.
Danelle Finaughty
Johannesburg, South Africa
Many Happy Returns of the day!! May God shower his blessings upon you and your family. I have been to the tour of Robben Island and have been on the tour to Soweto. I am amazed at your humility and simplicity. You have a great heart
and we can all learn from you.
Messenger of God
Angel to lead people
Noble peace maker
Determination
Equality for all
Love
A peace maker for all mankind
With God's blessings.
Hasitha Jayakody
Arcadia, Pretoria, South Africa
Nelson, you are a great inspiration to all African children. I am very proud of you. It is always a joy to see you read your address without an eye glass at 85. Good health to you.
Azuka Osunde
Germany
Madiba, Our Father. We hope and pray that you have a fantastic birthday. The Universe blessed us 85 years ago when you were born. Happy Happy.
Ivyann
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dearest Madiba, May you continue to carry the spirit of love and peace wherever you are. God bless.
Mariam Jooma
Pretoria, South Africa
Re go eleletsa masego le matlhogonono, rare
Modimo a go okeletse. We wish you the best as we treat you as our father throughout Africa.
Moses Loeto
United Kingdom
Morena a go okeletse malatsi a gago mo lefatsheng. Rea itse gore o feta Tlou ka botona jwa gago. Tlotlo yotlhe re e romela go wena. Re batho ka bakeng la gago. Happy Birthday Ntate-Mogolo.
Lesangkgang Paul Montlhabaki
Sunnyside, Pretoria, South Africa
Madiba, Yemyem, Ngqolomsila...!! I wish you all the best on your birthday. You've been a wonderful grandfather for all these years and you are still the best. You are the greatest of all. You are our freedom, our liberty, our everything!! The rainbow nation will always love you!
Wendy Ndzotoyi
Somerset East, South Africa
Dearest Madiba, Happy birthday! Thank you for tearing our land away from the brink of civil war. You have created a South Africa where everyone can feel at home. May you have many many more happy
years! We love you.
Andrew Smith
Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday Tata ... may you have many more. As a South African, I am proud to belong to a country with great leaders like you and the entire leadership of the African National Congress. To be called a South African in this current history is just great ... I walk tall, I am not ashamed because we have leaders like you. South Africa is proud to have you as its father and leader. Phela ka ho sa feleng Madiba!
Thapelo Shadow Mahlong
Tsakane, South Africa
Tata, I wish you many more years. Siyakubulela ngegalelo lakho kwisizwe siphela. I am proud of you.
Xoliswa Nqabeni
Meyerspark, Pretoria, South Africa
Dear Comrade Madiba. Wishing you only the best in health and another 85 years. South Africa and the world need you ...
Debbie de Vries
Cape Town, South Africa
I wish you a happy birthday my Hero 'Khatsi'
Madiba. Have a long life and change the entire world, you are my role model. I Love you Madiba.
Khathutshelo
Venda, South Africa
Madiba you are so special, not in SA only but the whole world! Happy Birthday Madiba.
PJ Moyane
Nelspruit, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made on my and my children's behalf. Happy Birthday, and may all your dreams for our country and the world come true. We appreciate and love you.
Francois, Felicity, Fallon and Faydene Fourie
Klerksdorp, South Africa
I just want to wish you a Happy 85th Birthday. May God Bless you and Be with you every step of the way. You are one of the most wonderful leaders in South Africa. Keep it up and I hope there will be many more birthdays to celebrate.
Beulah Stephens
Delft, Cape Town, South Africa
Baie geluk met hierdie groot dag in u lewe. Watter inspirasie is u
nie vir SA se mense nie. Die Here se seen vir die toekoms en u gesondheid. Bly so 'n wonderlike mens soos ons u leer ken het. U is 'n groot voorbeeld vir almal. Seenwense.
Mariana van den Berg
Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba! May God bless you and may you see many more birthdays. You're an inspiration to us all! You've put our beautiful land back on the map. Thank You!
Verusha and Friends
Johannesburg, South Africa
You are God's gift not only to SA but to the world. You and your wife Graca are masterpieces crafted for a purpose you are continuing to fulfill. Viva Mandela. I adore you...
Salome Malema
Mabopane, Pretoria, South Africa
I am sending this message to you on behalf of my friend Norman Sesana, he is celebrating his birthday on the 17th July. He told me to send you birthday wishes and many more years to come. I am also born on the 2nd of July and I also wish you
many more years to come. If we had presents we would offer you but unfortunately we don't, maybe next year. Happy birthday TATA. You deserve what you have now. We would like to celebrate your special day with you if possible please TATA. WE WOULD BE VERY MUCH HONOURED TO BE THERE WITH YOU, please send us invitations to the special occasion. YOURS FULL OF BIRTHDAY WISHES TO YOU.
Kubza, Norman, Thuli and TiTi
White City Jabavu, Gauteng, South Africa
tata, u are a pillar of strength for South Africa. thanks for being u. wishing u a happy birthday and God bless u.
Debrah Mogorosi
Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
Congratulations from me and the Leiden University Mandela Scholarship Fund! We wish you many more years of happiness and health. I had the privilege to come as an exchange student to Leiden one year after you received your honorary doctorate from Leiden University. Thank you for inspiring me to come here and write my
thesis on literature in the creation of a multi-voiced history of South Africa. I then realised that Leiden also needs me here to help other South Africans to study at Leiden Univesity in order to give their knowledge and expertise to the development of South Africa. Currently I am working for the Mandela Scholarship Fund for this reason. I will continue promoting South Africa and doing my best to help other South Africans have the opportunity to study at Leiden and help realise the potential of our country. Hope that we will meet you at the re-scheduled ICT and Law Conference in The Hague or in South Africa some day.
Rachelle Conradie
Leiden, The Netherlands
You are a man of wonders. Our country is where it is today because of your commitment to the process of national unity. We thank u very much father of our nation.
Ramashia Richardt
University of the North, South Africa
happy birthday madiba. you are indeed the
greatest statesman to have graced the african continent and the world in our lifetime. the greatest statesman, ever venerated by many, deservedly so. nations worship the soil you walk on because of the wonders you have done selflessly for all south africans regardless of your painful experience; because of the deep concern you have shown for the suffering of people across the race and ethnic divide. the greatest gift you could receive in your lifetime would be for south africa to experience the eradication of poverty, victory over unemployment, crime and the scourge of hiv/aids. most of all, i believe that you would go to sleep with a smile on your face if only the african continent, in particular, were to experience peace, stability, democracy on a uniform basis and a holistic development for the sake of its peoples as envisaged by the fathers of nepad and the signatories to the african union. may god grant you many many more.
Nkadimeng Theodore Mahosi
Thohoyandou,
Limpopo Province, South Africa
I thank God and our Ancestors for having preserved you and other comrades to help shape up our country's future with minimum loss of lives. long live Madiba.
Zodwa Keto
Erasmusrand, Pretoria, South Africa
"Mandela can walk with kings and beggars" - Eddie Daniels (former political prisoner, Robben Island). This is what you are, a wonderful human being who accomodates everyone. God is on your side and He will bless you. Blessings, Love and you need to live another 85 years.
Timothy Jacobs, Jastine Mathews and son Carlito
Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
May this birthday be the birth of your offical "retirement" from all official engagements. You have done more in a few years than many of us will ever do in our lifetime. A Modimo le badimo ba go baballe mo letstasing la gago la matsalo.
Lekgalake Rahube
Cape Town, South Africa
Happy Birthday Mr
Nelson Mandela. Joyeux Anniversaire Monsieur N Mandela. Feliz Cumpleanos senor Mandela. May you live to have many more birthdays. Que Dieu vous guide et vous aide pour le reste de votre sejour sur la terre. Best wishes.
Raïssa Jessica Edna Atala
Observatory, Johannesburg, South Africa
You brought us out of slavery to liberty, we are proud of you, may the Lord our God bless you. Happy birthday Baba Madiba.
Albert Tsholele
Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
I am British born and have been in SA for 22 years. The memory of your inauguration will stay in my mind forever and never have I been prouder. You are a fine gentleman and I hope one day I can shake your hand and just thank you for being who you are, the most charismatic humble lovable human being I have ever had the good fortune to know. A very happy birthday Sir and may the Angels be forever near you.
Noreen
Kempton Park, Gauteng, South
Africa
The world is a better place because you lived. Happy birthday, Madiba.
Raelene Gabrielli
Switzerland
Happy Birthday, Madiba. May the Almighty God shower you with His richest blessings. Enjoy the day and may God grant you many more years, inshallah!
Bashir Fleming
Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa
Mr Mandela, may you be Blessed! Thank you for being such an inspiring example to all of us.
Dainty Shaw
Pretoria, South Africa
You are such an inspiration to us all. An icon for all ages! May God Bless You and may you see many more. Thank you for giving us our freedom.
Beverley-Anne Starr
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Happy 85th birthday Tata Madiba. May God be with you for many more years to come and may your immortal spirit continue to inspire many generations.
Sabelo Ngwabi
Durban, South Africa
May God add
more years to "TATA" Madiba because you are the person who wants us all to be better human beings. Happy birthday and God bless you.
Monde Zandile
Idutywa, South Africa
Thanks for giving your life to humanity.
Lulama, Zwelakhe, Zoleka (8) and Zolile (1)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Tata Mandela, for GOD so loved the world he has spared you for 85 years. May this be a joyous occasion shared with loved ones and may you always be that shining beacon on this dark continent of Africa. God Bless.
Mark-Anthony Wessels
Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town, South Africa
Mnr Mandela, baie geluk met geboortedag - mag God jou seen in hierdie nuwe lewensjaar - my grootste begeerte is om jou persoonlik te ontmoet - miskien gebeur dit nog.
Linda Koen
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, I have been very fortunate to have met you before. I just want to say Happy Birthday and
all the very best to you indeed.
Wills W
London, UK
Happy Birthday Madiba! You have always been a pervading figure in our lives and an inspiration on every rainy or difficult day! May your star always shine, your smile never fade and your great candle of hope never go unlit! Much love and strength.
Fred, Eve, Samantha, Richard and Catherine Jenkin
Durban, South Africa
Happy Birthday Baba Mandela. You are best of the best person that inpired me and my two children, we talk about you every day. May the Lord bless you Tata and keep you until I get an opportunity to shake your hand, that will be the best thing that can ever happen to me. Happy Birthday!!!
Sibongile Ndlovu
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday, Madiba! You are my hero. I thank God for sending you to this earth. May God bless you.
Shuko Chiba
Tokyo, Japan
Dearest Tata, I am now the mother of twin
boys aged 22 months and I am all that much richer for having been blessed with them. When they were born I received a message that said "The birth of a child is God's way of showing us the world must go on..." I am glad that you have been given to us as a gift for all humankind and as a blessing for all our children and their children's children. In you we have an authentic human being who gives us hope that the world may go on. You are my inspiration and I am going to bring up my children to aspire to the ideals you have lived for. May your life be blessed and may you be spared many more peaceful and loving years! We love you! Happy Birthday!!!
Joan Villet
Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa
You are the best thing that ever happened to the world. Happy birthday, Madiba.
Mangaliso Radebe
Bloemfontein, South Africa
To the greatest man in the world, Madiba. Happy Birthday! may you have many many more!
Suzette
Stoffberg
Morningside, Johannesburg, South Africa
Madiba, may the African sun always light your way as you step into another 85 yrs. Thank you for reminding us that Greatness doesn't come from power, but from loving humanity and life. You are a true inspiration to me, and the rest of the world. Happy B-day!!
Eagan Williamson
Pretoria, South Africa
You're a source of inspiration to everybody in this world. You're a man of good heart, you don't look at people by colour, age or sex. Really there's none like you. God brought you in this world for a purpose. May God continue to bless you and give you more strength.
Iris Sikhondze
Nelspruit, South Africa
Happy birthday great Madiba, I wish God could just change his protocol and give you eternal life. May you have many more years.
Sydney Thoka
Temsia, South Africa
to madiba, loved and admired as a leader, and unique example of
humility and humaneness. have a wonderful 85th birthday, and may you be spared for many more years in health and happiness.
Don Maber and family
Pretoria, South Africa
Dear Madiba, I am thrilled to be making my first visit to South Africa at the time of your birthday. To quote my late mother who lived to be 93, "may you have as many more as you want!" Best wishes!
Nancy Allan
Saskatoon, Canada
Congratulations, Madiba, and blessings. We give thanks for your profound influence on the peaceful transition in South Africa, beloved land. We couldn't have got there without your patience, grace, forgiveness, and tolerance. We are very proud to be fellow South Africans, proud of the love and esteem in which you are held across the world. Have a very happy day with your family.
Peter and Penny, Jane, Matt, Robert and Anna Silva
Enstone, Oxfordshire, UK
You are like a letter written to the darkest part of
Africa which luminates the entire continent, you are an accolade we don't deserve.
Jorro Segabutla
Tembisa, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy Birthday to a great man with a good soul.
Bev Hancock
Cape Town, South Africa
Madiba, may you have a very happy birthday. You are truly a remarkable person whose humility never ceases to amaze people worldwide. As a proud South African I can never get enough of learning about you. May you be with us for many more years.
Diego Iturralde
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
May you have many more. You are an inspiration to those who have suffered, and risen to great heights. All my love.
Casey Snelgar
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday TATA Nelson Mandela. May you have some wonderful years ahead.
Kobus Nagel
Bothaville, Free State, South
Africa
Happy birthday Madiba. You have been an inspiration to generations of oppressed countrymen.
Zone Dube
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Madiba, baie dankie dat jy my geleer het dat kennis alle vooroordele kan oorkom. Geniet jou verjaarsdag en mag daar nog 'n hele klomp wees.
Louis Oelofse
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Tata Mandela, khula ungakhokhobi ngoba isizwe siyakudinga, you have been a role model to all. Keep it up and long live Mandela, long live. Hope you have a wonderful day.
Lorna Sibongile Sibeko
Diepkloof, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy
happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy birthday.
James Cairns
Seoul, South Korea
Mishumo yavho ro ivhona khavhaise phanda. Ria vha funa vho ri
lwela zwihulwane.Khavhahule makhulu Vho Mandela.
Gladys Musimanyana
Maniini, Limpopo, South Africa
Happy birthday TIMER, your courage and strength will forever touch the souls of humankind for generations to come.
Thulani
Orlando, Gauteng, South Africa
You are 85 and still going strong! Happy birthday to you! Hope your day is filled with lots of love, fun and laughter.
Gail Snyman
London, UK
Happy birthday tat'omkhulu, qhawe lesizwe.
May God, our Father bless you with many more years.
Long Live Tat'omkhulu.
Asanda Njobeni
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela. You have always been a light in my life to cherish the way forward.Thank you for bringing Peace on Earth. Enjoy your much deserved innings.God bless you forever. Take care Sir.
Ling Bhima
Mayfair, Gauteng, South
Africa
Thank you Madiba for all you've done for humanity. I pray that God will bless you with many more years. "Dalu".
Emmanuel C. Osakwe
Takoma Park, Maryland, USA
We wish you good health, happiness and prosperity in your endeavours in guiding and lighting the world. O gole o lekane le tlou.
Mankhumise, Itu and Mercy Moumakwe
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Tata, I would give anything to have a chat with you, I voted in 1994 just so that you could lead the country out of that spiral of violence we heading for and you did not disappoint me and the way you have changed the lives of many people by just being yourself is amazing. I always strive to keep to a quote by you: "The key to my sucsess at home as well as work, is that I have little regard for personal power, status, social convictions and useless ideologies, at the root of everything I do is a liking for
people...." you might have forgotten about these words but they are an inspiration to me and I would like to say may the Lord grant you health and many more happy moments with your family.
David Lucas
Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa
Khula ungakhokhobi Tata.
Zolile Somkhence
King William's Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Thank you for the love and forgiveness you have always shown towards all people especially South Africans.
Keryn Hayes
Rivonia, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday and wish you many more years.
Sarafina Manana
Zola, Gauteng, South Africa
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The Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book:
