Dear Mr Mandela ...
Welcome to the official Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book, page 4
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.
Huree, Huree!!!!!! Gugu, vha hule vha lingane na ndou (Grow old to the size of an elephant). Mentioning of your name will always serve as the inspiration to all Africans. Happy birthday.
Thomas Muswede
Potchefstroom, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, thank you for being the greatest statesman that ever lived. You are not only the example that we all should follow, but you're a true leader. We at Stellenbosch Correctional Services wish you a very happy 85th birthday and many happy, prosperous years ahead. Thank you for all that you've
done for EVERYONE in this beautiful country of ours, SOUTH AFRICA!-)
Neil Fourie (ex Robben Island Prison Warder)
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Nelson, I hope you live up to 185. May you have a wonderful 85th birthday. May the hills to climb become less and the many more become more interesting. Happy Birthday.
Danie de Lange
Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa
PAPA, what a thing of joy to join u in celebrating another glorious year in the land of the living. There is no gainsaying that you have played your role as an actor on this 'STAGE' and your footprints will forever remain indelible in the sand of time. You are a hidden encouragement to souls like myself. Cheers and stay blessed. HAVE A FUN-FILLED BIRTHDAY.
Babayemi Olugbenga David
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Happy Birthday and may God continue to give you the strength you need to achieve all the goals you
have set out to achieve for 2003, and may you see 2004.
Ursula Wagner
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba. You are an inspiration to us all. I will soon return to my mother land, one I miss and took for granted for far too long. Best wishes.
Pippa de Louw
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dear Mr Mandela, This is to wish you a very very happy 85th birthday. You are the inspiration that spans the generations in this troubled world. If only other so-called leaders would show the same compassion, humility and concern for our fellow citizens in the world community, then it would be a truly better world which you envisaged. We were blessed the day you were born. All our love and best wishes to you and your family. PS We are New Zealand Maoris living in Australia.
Ann and Joe Mato
James and Oriana Mato
Aaron and Isabelle Mato
Victoria, Australia
On the occasion
of the birthday of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, I send my best wishes to our living legend, stalwart and Isithwalandwe/ Seaparankoe of our National Democratic Revolution. We are indeed honoured to have you as our leader. May we have more years of your wise counsel for our country and all the people who are struggling for equality and fairness in our continent and the world.
Mr Hope Mankwana Papo
Deputy Chief Whip (ANC)
Gauteng Provincial Legislature, South Africa
Mr President, I hope to you a very nice birthday. We need you. Mr Hampathe Ba said, "An old man who dies is as a library which burns". Stay with us. Congratulations.
Mactar Fall
Dear Mandela you have always been the greatest person to be born. You turned this country into something extraordinary. Now because of you we're on top of the world. We are so grateful. Thank you very much. Congratulations on your 85th birthday and many more to
come
Marie Louise
Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa
May the ALMIGHTY grant many more years, to continue adding value towards nation building. Happy Birthday TATA.
Godfrey M Munnik
Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa
A true son of Africa. A genuine leader not greedy. A role model. Enjoy your birthday.
Frederique Namphande
Blantyre, Malawi
My family and I wish Dr NR Mandela a happy birthday. We wish you and your family a prosperous life. Mpilonde Madiba.
Godfrey Ntombela
Kanyamazane, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Ba Madiba, happy birthday old man! Your struggle is the world's struggle. Wherever you might be, on earth or in heaven, always remember that you've given the world, in particular Africa, something to cheer about. Peace! May God grant you many more. We are proud of you. I still remember your
smile when you visited Toronto. Lesa apale!
Kaela B Mulenga
Toronto, Canada
The words: "No person can be a great leader unless he takes genuine joy in the success of those under him." I really don't think I need to explain the meaning of these words to you, Tata, as they aptly define the embodiment in you of a true leader and servant of your organisation, your people, your country and the whole of humanity. You already share us a legacy while still alive! May God keep you younger and wiser!
Duma Nxarane
Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Madiba you have shown and tought us to love our people and country under any circumstances. Happy Birthday Baw'u Madiba!
Buyisile Khwelelani
Cape Town, South Africa
Wishing you everything of the best on your 85th Birthday. I thank God for sending such a forgiving, warm, kind and selfless man. You are a
true saviour, a true angel sent by God to save his people. May you also have a long and prosperous life ... so that we will all share your 100th Birthday.
Hajra Osman
Pretoria, South Africa
TO THE GREATEST FATHER AND GRANDFATHER OF ALL. Happy birthday and many more years to come, there was nobody as courageous before you and up to date. You fought a fight for all of African descent (not only for South Africans), you are our hero and I pray that God will always sustain you in standing for the truth.
Oludolapo
Athens, Greece
Ke go lakaletsa matlhogonolo, matla le lerato la Modimo mo botshelong ba gago. O re bontshitse gore ga go na sepe se palang fa o tshepile Modimo. Your blessings have become our blessings, Thank You Tata!
Kabelo Serutle
Pretoria and Rustenburg, South Africa
Rre Madiba Mandela ke ka lethabo le letonna go fiwa sebaka se
sebotlhokwa ke ANC, sa go o lakaletsa tsatsi le lentle la matsalo. O kgole o kgole, o lekane le Tlou, Tshukudu ebe mosimanyana. Long live my President, you remain a star.
Sello Shai
Nelspruit, South Africa
Dear Nelson, as the most inspirational person the world has ever known, it is only fair that you have the greatest 85th birthday ever known. Love, love and more love, all of us at the Kryptonite Offices.
Jonathan Savage
Cape Town, South Africa
May God bless you for many years to come. I still cherish the day in 1995 in Oudtshoorn when I first met you, and I was only 7 years old. Tata you are great, and enjoy the joyous day with your family.
Thandiwe Jackson
Oudtshoorn, South Africa
Congratulations on your 85th birthday celebration. I love your leadership. God bless you.
Godfrey Phiri
Chingola,
Zambia
Indeed, Tata those "many more hills to climb..." must be climb to another HHayi uTata, so Happy 85th birthday!!! Long live Tata Long live!
Sphiwe T. Mnguni
Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy birthday Hero of my heroes, may God lend you many more years to keep shining for of us and enlighten the path to human dignity for Africa.
Christophe Muhigira
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Tata, my prayer is that you have a wonderful birthday with your family and that God will grant you to us for many more years to come.
Rupert Franks
Eersterivier, Cape Town, South Africa
Tata, thank you for the path to peace and prosperity. You're a true statesman, an inspiration. May your spirit live forever. Happy birthday!
Zingi Gcwabe
Kenilworth, Western Cape, South Africa
Happy Birthday God
bless you
Bjarne Solberg
Sweden
Dear Cde Madiba, I am so proud of being able to say that I have had the privilege of shaking your hand and speaking to you, and living in the same century as you. Happy birthday to our mentor and to our inspiration, Cde Madiba. May you see many many more birthdays yet to come. Best wishes,
Ela Gandhi
Durban, South Africa
You are an exceptional man, Madiba, you are one of the world’s greatest leaders.
Hildegardt
Rehoboth, Namibia
have a happy birthday Tata. i love u, miss you
Jeanette
Leicester, UK
oh dear nelson mandela u a real pride of africa i pray u live more longer & prosperous years ahead, we africans all over the world are proud of you!hip! hip! hurray!
youseph adeniyi alapino
Goa, India
Happy birthday
Mandela as you get 85 years younger on July 18, 2003. This is no time to slow down, if you RE-TIRE you run faster. We love you, the hope and inspiration of Africa.
Fatou Abdoulie Soli
Gambian in the USA
Mnr. Mandela Geniet u verjaarsdag. Ons is trots op u. Mag u nog 'n lang tyd saam met ons wees. Ek en my gesin wens u voorspoed en goeie gesondheid toe. U bly vir ons die simbool van versoening.
Anza
Worcester, South Africa
Congratulations once again. May God bless you for the wonderful example you have set for all the children of Africa. May we learn from your example and follow the path of reverence. The Tao of Mandela is the eternal Tao.
Ramon Thomas
Johannesburg, South Africa
Congratulations Mr Mandela and thank you very much for you hard work and for freeing this wonderful country. You made it possible that I could meet my African
family and my girlfriend. Please stay healthy and happy. You also did a lot for my life though I come from Europe. Thank you
Benjamin Melzer
Neuruppin, Germany
You are my hero and you will always remain so. I admire your fearless courage even at the face of death. May you live forever. Happy birthday Sir.
Supo Fagbenle
New York
Hon. Mr. Mandela, It is indeed an honor to wish you a happy birthday.
Pat Mortensen
Durham, North Carolina USA
Mr. Mandela: As I endeavor to lead my people, I pray that God will be good to me as He has been to you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND LONG LIFE!
Thomas Harris
Long Beach, California (USA)
Dear Madiba! We celebrate our birthdays together on the 18th! I wish you a very happy 85th filled with lots of love and good wishes. You are such an inspiration to all South
Africans! Wishing you many more in good health. Love
Adrian Kaplan
Cape Town, South Africa
I Can, You Can, We Can, South African! Nobody embodies this better than the Magic Madiba. Happy Birthday.
Satish Soni
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Tata Mandela, I admire you and would like to wish you a very happy birthday. May GOD the Almighty be with you as you celebrate your 85th birthday. Mudzimu kha vhe na vhone avha farise musi vha tshi pembelela minwaha ya fumalo thanu.
Livhuwani Nzama
Fontainebleau, Randburg, South Africa
On this joyous occasion of your 85th birthday anniversary, Mr Mandela, Africa's shining star, I'd like to wish you God's continuous blessings. You may never know how a person like me has come to appreciate and adore you not only for all that you've done for us (Africans), but the humbleness and moral authority that you
continue to command in these difficult and troubled times. On a continent afflicted with problems of all sorts, you surely have been the one bright spot, especially, for those of us who yearn to see our beloved continent move away permanently from poor leadership and the seemingly endless circle of senseless violence that has denied the African masses what they're rightfully entitled to - "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for so long. Your mere presence gives us much hope. Unfortunately, men like you are very rare, particularly, when it comes to leadership in Africa. That's exactly why you're loved not only in Africa, but all over the world. And so, Father Mandela, I say, may God continue to bless you and give you strength until he calls you home as we all will someday. Please enjoy to the fullest whatever is left of your very meaningful life. Certainly, you deserve much, much more for giving up your own life for us. You'll forever remain in our hearts.
James
W. Harris (Liberian Journalist)
USA
There stand a man, great and a sample, a man of rose and history, giving light to us. Happy Birthday Mr Presisdent, happy birthday the teacher, God bless your steps. You give us joy and hope, God bless us and teach us our paths to freedom, I may forget you but history will never forget you. God bless you.
Njamnsi Theodore
Buea, Cameroon
Papa, Your wonderful life has inspired the world and your legacy has been written on a platter of Gold. Happy 85th birthday. We all love you.
Otunba Nicholas Tofowomo
Ile-Oluji, Nigeria
Thanx Tata for who you are, that our country was so blessed to have you. He who loved and continue to love his people unreservedly. You are in deed a living legend. Happy birthday.
Mohlaloga Rubben
Polokwane, South Africa
Papa Africa, at 85 years young you're
still a Lion from the Mountain. Happy birthday!!!!!
Agbaifoh, P
Canada
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mandela I wish u a happy birthday and i hope that you have the best birthday ever and remember u are ur 85 years young (i hope i got that right) not 85 years old.
Mugundho Herbert
Uganda
You have been an inspiration to us as youth league members. Happy Birthday. O gole o lekane letlou.
Grant Nkosi
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear President Mandela, fondest regards and best wishes on your 85th birthday!! With you, the world is a better place. Wishing you good health and a longer life, for the sake of all humankind. From Dakar, Yaounde, Luanda, Kampala, Kigali, Maputo, Accra, Lagos, Johannesburg, Bamako, Nairobi, Bangui, Sao Paulo, Kingston, New York, Havana, Bridgetown, London, Toronto, Bujumbura, Kinshasa, etc, the African Child is proud to be African
like you, proud to be human like you. Amandla!!
Mzi
Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday 'Madiba' Happy Birthday Nelson. I celebrate your humanity with you, that you demonstrated to all South African people for the 85 years, as a leader who even to date stood the test of time. Hoola Ntate Mandela, o re holele rona Ma-Afrika Borwa le Ma-Afrika kaofela.
Papiki Moshodi
Jagersfontein - Xhariep District, Free State, South Africa
We wish you a very happy birthday Tata. Siyabonga wena kaMadiba!
Thandeka Dube
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
If there were more honest men as you, the world would be better. Happy Birthday Mr Mandela.
Ramiro Carrion
Long Beach, California, USA
Dear Tata Madiba On the occasion of your birthday, may God bless you and your entire family with thundershowers of joy, love and
happiness. Today South Africa is a living example of a world where all can live in peace and harmony. May your wish for the creation of a non-racial, non-sexist, prosperous, democratic and united South Africa come true. Happy more returns. Thank you.
Robert Seyasonke Mathebula
University of the North, Limpopo, South Africa
May God bless you with many more years, so that your dreams of an integrated South Africa, a peaceful, healthy, and strong economic African continent are realised. You were and still remain a Great Statesman. You made Africa proud. Happy Birthday!
Tendoh Humphrey
Miami, Florida USA
Dear Mr Mandela, you are a gift of life for all! You are the powerless superpower & freedom fighter, without bombs and guns, who won the human hearts and minds in achieving genuine freedom, equality, democratic right & human dignity, with no barriers. You are the conscience of the past, present
and the future! Let every moment be your Birthday! Long Live!
Mezgebu Girmay
Toronto, Canada
Happy b-day! you've done great things in 85 years. You should be proud. From a friend across the ocean.
Natalie Rose
Washington DC, USA
As you said you still have many more hills to climb. May your God continue to guide you to achieve it in peace and prosperity. Happy birthday.
Jersey Kevin
UK
Mpilonde tata, Madiba, Ngqolumsila, Yemyem.
Robert Nompuku
Katlehong, Germiston
If I were to consider the pros of genetic cloning it would be in the case where you would be the donor. We need more people like you in the world. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in and may God grant you many more good years to come. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Aisha Sherif
USA
Nelson Mandela not only celebrates his
birthday in South Africa but also in all parts of the world, especially in Ethiopia where he trained for two years. Happy birthday our father and God protect you.
Frezer
Addis Ababa
Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela and may God bless you for all your great works.
Austin
Boston, USA
Dear Sir. Congratulations on your 85th. May the good Lord who knows you the most continue to bless your life as you continue on the journey to the 100s.
Femi Omotoso
UK
You are a source of inspiration to the young and old, you have given so much to humanity ... and yet we don't have much to give you back. This is the least I can do - I promise to keep your ideas of a free and caring society alive in my own time. Viva Madiba, indeed, long live father of the nation, many many more years. Happy birthday to you, and Happy wedding anniversary to you and your
wife.
Tembinkosi
South Africa
Bismilah, happy birthday baba Mandela, for me you are the best African President I have ever heard or seen.
Mohamaed-Amin Jama
Denmark
Happy birthday MADIBA may the Almighty grant ya all the strength ye need to continue the good you've been doing. Happy birthday, peace!
Umar Jabbie
London, England
Thank you for your inspiration, your ability to give to people even through electronic means. To see your face only gives hope to all who view it, be well, be happy, be at peace.
Ellen
USA
Thank you for the freedom and the opportunity to discover who I am. May your spirit live forever.
C K Kanu
Johannesburg, South Africa
I'm grateful to have witnessed your path to freedom. You're an inspiration. Thank you.
Carol Montoya
Santa Fe, New Mexico,
USA
Happy birthday to you my hero. You are blessed to be alive to realise your dream. Let us not forget those who passed away for the liberation of Africa. I know in my heart that the likes of Patrice Lumumba, Chris Hani, Che Guevara, Leon Machel, Martin Luther King and the ones we never had a chance to salute, wish you a very happy and long life. I thank our ancestors and God for sending down a man of such stature. Amandla. Mayibuye iAfrika. Aluta continua.
Zanele Tunisia Ngubane
Guguletu, Western Cape, South Africa
This family of the United States wishes you a wonderful 85th birthday, and thanks you for your courage and for speaking out on important issues.
J. Linda Douglas
Monroe, Oregon, USA
Great golden heart ... the world is so much the better for your kindness, your clear mind and your love of peace ... You are a gift to us all ... what can we give you but ...
appreciation.
Carol Lido
St Cloud, Minnesota, USA
The Bible says: "I have come so that you may have life and have it more abundantly". I also believe that you have come so we can have life and have it more abundantly, because you have shown that the health of your people is your health, the well-being of your people is yours, that the plight of your people is yours as well. I salute and wish you a happy birthday filled with the gift of life! Aluta Continua!
Thulani Tshefuta
Cradock and Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy 85th birthday, Mr Mandela! You are one of my biggest heroes. All the best wishes from Austria, Love
Tina
Austria
Hello dear father Nelson. I will never forget you in my life. People should bear in mind that you have done a stamp which will never deleted. Happy Birthday dear father: Joyeux Anniversaire Pere Nelson. Vous etes un exemplaire en Afrique. Excusez moi mon
anglais n'est pas tellement bon. Yours sincerely.
Papa Sambar Beye
Senegal
NELSON MANDELA
A soul of the Universe,
a thinker of time,
a man of the present,
a citizen of mankind!
A soldier of humanity,
a man of zeal,
a guardian of kinship,
a man who can heal!
A teller of tales,
a catalyst of the mind,
a lover of people,
a giver in kind!
An author of friendship,
a writer of peace,
a man of infinity,
a brother's release!
An advocate of rights,
a man of face,
a champion of the poor,
a hope for the human race!
Written by and copyright of
Fred MacKenzie
Glasgow, Scotland
The world needs a genuine friend like you, Mandela: I wish you many more happy returns!
U.R. Sumaila
Vancouver, Canada
What an honor it is to be able to send a birthday wish to one of my living Heroes! I just want
you to know that you are loved and respected across the world for your dedication to peace, equality and sincerity. My heroes are few and include Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi. My respect and admiration for you is unbounded. I sincerely wish you the most peaceful and beautiful Happy Birthday. Peace and Blessings,
John Ahrens
Los Angeles, California, USA
Congratulations President Mandela on your 85th birthday. There is nothing in the world that I can think of that would make me as happy as to be there to share it with you. There in the home I should have been born in, Africa.
Kenneth E Chapman
USA
"Up from the ashes." From Freedom Fighter to Prisoner, from Prisoner to President. What an incrediable Human accomplishment. A true warrior. A man of men. happy birthday my hero Mr mandela. from Steve and the Bahamas.
Steve Cleare
Miami, Florida, USA
Greetings to our great fighter and
thinker on your 85th. We love and appreciate you.
Bro. Marunda M. Akamefula
Kettering, Maryland, USA
Many were killed in the struggle to liberate the black man. Many of your mates are no more. But you are still alive and healthy. You are a man of destiny, a true statesman and a real hero. I wish you 85 years more.
Dr Samuel Wodi
Germany
Dear Mandela, You are the root for my African identity. Your stand - "it is not the lack of ability but it is the lack of opportunity that limited my people" - is a premise of my paper on international development studies at ISS. Happy birthday dad.
Mohammed Ali Aidid
Oslo University, Norway
Your voice warms people’s hearts. Your vision heats the hope. Your legacy feeds us all. Thanks Madiba for sharing the path to peace and prosperity.
www.us-africa.org
All over Africa
Happy 85th Birthday! You have brought
many years of hope, inspiration, and recognition (and re-recognition) of African American pride in the USA. We need more positive role models like you whose fearless efforts to denounce evil in the world have brought others strength to never forget who we are and where we come from and to keep striving for peace. You are a light in my times of darkness, when I read of your struggles, I feel power to pick myself up and keep pushing harder. Thank you Mandela, and may God bless you with many many more birthdays :)
Shaunie Owens
Newport News, Virginia, USA
It is sad to see that the world still does not understand what you have given up your life for, the quest to understand humanity, to enjoy of the peace that I strongly believe is as old as our existence on this earth. Happy birthday and may you continue to inspire many hearts around the world, for what you did for humanity, this world can never repay you in this lifetime ... Amandla!
Moabi
Makuku
USA
Osagyefo Kuntunkununko Nelson Mandela, you are the ICON of Truth, Peace and Tranquility. You have shown to the world that given the chance, Africa and for that matter Africans can make a positive change to this world that we live in. Your spirit of Pan Africanism waves on without season every second as the clock ticks. As you turn 85, be assured that the Almighty God still wants to see you turn a hundred and over for the young unborn to see you and your good deeds. Ayeekooo....
Albert Kobby Mensah
London, UK
Dear Mr Nelson Mandela, If God would give us few more persons of your quality in Africa, Africans would be matching forward to progress at par with the rest of the world. I wish you a very happy 85th birthday and many more to come. You are a blessing to Africa. May God keep protecting and guiding you always. Love
Lewis Chiekwe
Nova Scotia, Canada
Papa Mandela, you are a true
soldier, a true patriot and the symbol of African redemption. As you celebrate your 85th Birthday, may God bless you and give you long life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Jah Momo Wilson
Pennsylvania, USA
Happy Birthday Mr President. You are blessed by the Gods and you will enjoy it for many years more. Thank you for being such a living Monument for Africa and the whole world. If some African presidents could learn from your humility, Africa would be a paradise on earth. But the younger generation has been so lucky to know you and we will follow your path. You are our HERO. Long live Mr President.
Kokouvi Galli
USA
85 years young! Thank you for snubbing Bush during his recent visit to your country. Our forefathers should've done the same to his forefathers, and Africa would've been the better for it. PEACE TO YOU BROTHER.
Uchenna
Nigeria
Happy Birthday Madiba! Africa's father, the
world's source of wisdom.
God Bless you!
William Abong
Detroit, Michigan, USA
to truly wonderful man happy birthday
j mcgougan
scotland
Happy birthday Sir! As you celebrate your 85th birthday, it is my hope that you will continue to be an inspiration for us all. Your continued dedication towards all that you believe in and have done for humanity will forever be remembered. You are a very honorable man and I respect you and admire you. Long live freedom ! Long live appreciation of humanity! Long live Nelson Mandela, icon of the people!
Odili Obi
London, UK
Baba Madiba, I really thank God for you because you are a blessing not only to South Africa but to the world. You are a role model, a great asset to the world. Africa would be different if we had more Mandela. God bless you and may you have many more because we still need you Baba to lead us as children of Africa.
Songe
Chibambo
Portland, Oregon, USA
| 
The Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book:
