Dear Mr Mandela ...
Welcome to the official Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book, page 7
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.
Mr Everything, the Hero, Madiba, Tata, My life and my god to be, Happy birthday and may God give you more than this. You have really changed the lives of people. African Jesus Christ.
Harold Phasha
Pretoria, South Africa
May you have many, many more, you have made your mark in this world but we still need you to guide and help us achieve total emancipation and freedom.
Sibusiso Nzimande
Meyersdal, South Africa
Happy Birthday Mr Mandela. May God bless you on this very special day. You have been such an inspiration to
our nation. Thank You.
Natasha
Johannesburg, South Africa
The roots of your achievements born of self sacrifice and great love for humanity were born today, 18th of July. The fruits are recognised as the rewriting of History through the banishing of apartheid, and reaped as joy for every South African. You faced your challenges with dignity and humility. May your vision and discipline fill every heart of the world leaders and our own young ones. Happy Birthday Mr President.
Lawrence Ngorora
Cape Town, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, God's richest blessings on your 85th birthday. May the guiding and protecting hand of God always be with you. My greatest dream is still to meet you one day.
Ralph Adams
Pniel, Western Cape, South Africa
Happy birthday to you. You are the star of the stars of this generation, continue to be strong, we need you like yesterday!
Jean Marie V
Gakwisi
Kitwe, Zambia
Dear Tata, happy birthday! May you see many more, God bless!!!!!
Pinky Simelane
Johannesburg, South Africa
Beste Madiba, Baie, baie geluk met u verjaarsdag! Mag u nog lank gespaar bly vir u gesin en vriende! Alles wat mooi is, en goeie gesondheid word u toegewens! Geniet die dag!!
Cecilia Brits
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy birthday Madiba, and thank you for ensuring that we Africans can now walk tall and full of pride after years of oppression and humiliation.
James Kanu
Rome, Italy
Happy birthday Tata. I wish you many more. God bless you, Father of our nation.
Thabo Mokobe
Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
Madiba. Viva the man, viva the legend! We know there won't be that many happy returns, but we are hoping for at least another 10. All good wishes!
Jason
Levin
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, I wish you everything of the best and hope to meet with you one day. Enjoy your day and best wishes for the future. Love, the Akoob family
Kabira Akoob
Riebeeck West, Cape Town, South Africa
May God bless you to reach 100 years. You are an idol and you were just what this beautiful country of ours needed. We all love you and may God really bless your soul and thank you for everything that you have done and are still doing for the rest of our children, as they are the new leaders of tomorrow. We love you to bits!
Ryan J Williamson
Polokwane, South Africa
Dear Madiba, wishing you God's richest blessing on your birthday and in the years to come. Thank you for making South Africa such a wonderful place to live in! We are currently in Ireland but long for the day when we can return to South Africa where our
hearts are! Lots of love and best wishes! Love
Kathy and John Armstrong
Ireland
Happy birthday our father, the hero of our country, may God be with you while you are enjoying your day, be blessed and happy as we are happy too. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. Bye.
Nonzwakazi Msi
Mount Fletcher, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Dear Madiba, I may live in Holland, but in my heart I will be in South Africa for your birthday. Thank you for everything and have a great birthday!
Marian Mathot
The Netherlands
In my 20s I worked at the AA office in London, met many exiled South Africans and, hopefully, helped a little in the liberation. Since then many events have seemingly crushed hope for ordinary people. Nelson Mandela is a real beacon in the present darkness, a Man amongst Men, a giver of hope. Long may you live! Happy
birthday.
Steven Taggart
Lincoln, England
Our father, hero, his majesty, the honourable. His Lordship Nelson R Mandela, please be informed that the 18th July of every year will always be very important to us because a king was born and should be declared a public holiday. Happy birthday Madiba! We love you.
Sinky Sebopa
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
Unwele olude Tata. INkosi ibusise.
S'mah
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
A great celebration to the man who has fought for the rights of his people. Also from my wife who celebrates her birthday on the same day.
Arie Pronk
The Netherlands
Happy Birthday Tata. Ukhule Ukhokhobe Madiba! We thank God for having you in this country as a symbol of hope, peace and reconciliation.
July Maphosa
Mamelodi, Gauteng, South
Africa
The ANC Parliamentary Constituency Office (Mabopane) wishes you a happy birthday, and wishes you many more, and above all, we wish you good health.
Mabena Daniel M.
Mabopane, Gauteng, South Africa
Dear Nelson, I wish you a very happy birthday from Holland! We met in 1961 in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, in Paul Joseph's kitchen!
Gill Massy - former COD member
The Netherlands
Happy birthday, our country's leader and international leader. Madiba, you hav done lots of things for our country. You sacrificed your life in prison just for our freedom. I wish you to see many more years and continue to give the direction to our movement, the ANC.
Sboniso
Pietermaritzburg
Ya papa Mandela. Your insatiable desire for justice, love and compassion go beyond that of any human being to ever have graced this earth. Now more than
ever your principles, values and charisma are unquestionable. I pray for us to continue to enjoy the privilege of your company.
Kalule Lukenge
United Kingdom
A multitude of souls have gratitude for your power, the power that takes a split of seconds to cover thousands of miles.
How far have you come?
How far did you go?
How many miles did you cover?
You are coming from far, from the days of oppression, but now you are ready for golden days.
I salute you
You are the wounded mother that carries our nation.
You are the son of the soil.
You are the colours of the rainbow nation.
You are the graduate from the university of passion.
Your heart is full of passion.
Your root is full of wisdom.
You are the anchor of the nation.
Your spirit is full of kindness.
Your mind is full of sensitivity.
You are the journalist of journalism.
You are the idiom of idea.
The
needle of achievement.
The thorn of exploit.
The indicator of discharge.
Oh! Madiba
You are the prisoner and the processor to process the black procession.
Your dignity is sub-divided into diligent, deploy, department.
Happy birthday, Mthembu.
Hold up the sun until no end.
Ndyebo Mququ
Butterworth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
You are blessed, covered by His love. Wishing u the best for the future TATA MADIBA.
Mongezi Wogane
Tsitsikamma, South Africa
85 yrs on earth is a big achievement, congratulations. You have inpired many of us as young people, may your next 85yrs be filled with joy and happiness.
Khulu Duba
Pretoria, South Africa
A! MADIBA. You were born when the days of earthquake. But you have subtracted them. Madiba, my gratitude is my soul, heart and my life. Thank you Sir. We always remember your power. Thank
you Madiba, take your years and go to another millennium. Don't worry you will achieve. Don't be anxious you will attain. I would be very glad to see your oppression place (Robben Island), but I have no direction and means. Thank you anchor of the nation. Happy birthday on this day, I will always remember the womb of your mother.
Ndyebo Mququ
Butterworth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
There was a time, that I woke up and I realised that SA is a better place to be, but without Tata these words wouldn't have been spoken by many of us. During 1991 I remember meeting you, within our locality, and you were such a great person to be with one day. I wish I was on the guest list to the birthday. MATIMBA AHENA. ALUTA CONTINUA.
Z'Nakile Willy Maila
Potchefstroom, South Africa
Ndikunqwenelela imini emnandi, nemihla emide emhlabeni.
Pheliswa Gqibitole
Cape Town, South Africa
Mnr
N.R. Mandela, Baie dankie vir 'n leeftyd van hoop! Baie dankie vir die brief uit u kantoor in 1996 - en baie dankie vir u voorbeeld! U is voorwaar die rolmodel waarvoor ons almal gebid het! Mag U verjaarsdag vol vreugde, liefde en geluk wees. Met hope liefde en baie wardering,
Willie Knoetze
Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy 85th birthday MADIBA. You are the reason why I INSPIRE to be tommorow's leader. You are a rare personality. I respect you. Live longer so that other young African leaders can follow your footsteps. God bless you.
Tapiwa Gwede
Harare, Zimbabwe
Best wishes to a great statesman, a symbol of hope and everything else. You're the reason why I voted. May God give u many more days to live. Happy birthday Tata.
Elmon Chauke
Johannesburg, South Africa
You are a living legend, You are an inspiration to all, May you have many more
birthdays.
Prudence Mtshali
South Africa
What a privilege to have lived in your time, you continue to teach us so much every day, and I pray that God grants you many more years as we cannot imagine living life without your light to guide us. You are the tallest tree on our beautiful continent. Happy Birthday Madiba!
Paul vd Westhuizen
Pretoria, South Africa
Long live Nelson Mandela long live. I wish God will bless you with many more years to live and see the fruits of your deeds. We love you so much.
Immanuel Mudzunga
Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Because you have respect for all irrespective of colour, age, religion etc, God has given you a wonderful year life span in which you have experienced the worst and the best, may God bless you on your 85th birthday, South Africa and the whole world love and respect you. Ngikufisela okumhlophe kodwa. Happy
Birthday Madiba.
Sabelo Lindani Mthiyane
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Ntate Madiba keolakaletsa katleho lemahlohonolo ka tsatsi lahao latsoalo Morena ao boloke.
Theko Mathibeli
Carletonville, Gauteng, South Africa
May all your wishes come true on your 85th birthday, may you see many many more years.
Phalo Kamohelo
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Our very dear Madiba! You rock! May God spare you for many, more birthdays. Have a wonderful day - we love you!
Saxon de Kock and family
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Madiba, I am SO proud to be a South African, especially on the birthday of one of our greatest citizens! You have sacrificed so much for your country and have spoken out against injustices, where others say nothing. You are an inspiration me and to many people around the world. I wish you a fantastic birthday and
many more to come! Yours sincerely
Dale Joseph
London, England
To the Greatest Inspirator and Peace Maker, God Bless you, and may you see many, many more. We all love you
H. Sutton
Johannesburg, South Africa
God's richest blessings on you Mr Mandela and most especially on your 85th birthday. Thanks to you, I am ... PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN!!! We continue to pray for you!
Johann Brinders
Pretoria, South Africa
It gives me a graet pleasure to say Happy birthday Baba Mandela "The Man of Peace" - and wishing you many more.
Philani Msimango
Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Mkhulu, thank you for everything you have done for us (Africa) and the rest of the world.
Sibonelo Muholi
Naturena, Johannesburg, South Africa
May all your dreams come true - you are the world's best leader.happy
birthday Tata ... kere helehelele Tau-tona, mohale ya senang diphoso. Khuwebanna!
Phalo K I
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Happy birthday Ntate Madiba Modimo a ho ekeletse dilemo tse ngat ngata feela re leboha mosebitsi wa hao oo o re etseditseng ona ha ho ya tshwanang le wena "NTATE MOHOLO".
Oupa Rakhalakane
Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday, Madiba! The nation is proud of you. May God Bless you.
William Hlungwani
Limpopo, South Africa
Long live Madiba! U khule ulingane nendlovu!
Peter Makurube
Troyeville, Gauteng, South Africa
Dear Madiba. I wish we could have celebrated your 45th birthday instead of your 85th. I can only imagine the contribution you could still have made had we had the privilege of having you around for another 40 years. Yours comradely,
Ashwin
Syme
Parow, Western Cape, South Africa
Huree! Gugu vha hule ri vha shule mutodo. You are a strength to those who are weak, comfort to those who mourn. Happy birthday to you.
Shoni Muswede
Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa
Mini emnandi kuwe tatomkhulu. Ukhule ukhokhobe!
Anele
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
I wish you the best for the day and a long life.
Daisy Naidoo
Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday to you, I wish you to live many more years. I would like to say thank you for leading us during the difficult times of apartheid until today and also thank you for your kindness given to people of the world, particularly South Africans. Thanks.
Athini Nyebevu
Mqanduli, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Happy Birthday! Ntate Madiba. Rolihlahla! Qhawe lamaqhawe!
Wen' ongasoze ulityalwe. You are an inspiration to us all.
Precious King
East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
To a person who makes us all want to be better human beings. Happy birthday and God bless.
Don Govender
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Tata, kuluvuyo olukhulu kuthi ukukunqwenelela umhla wokuzalwa kwakho omnandi nozele ngamathamsanqa. Sitsho sisithi ke Ngqolomsila akwaba ingamininzi eminye efana nalo mhla. Ukhule ulingane neentaba zoKhahlamba. Madiba! Velabambhentsele!
Sonwabo Ngonini
Bekkersdal, Gauteng, South Africa
Tata, you are a Father to the whole world, we thank the Lord for a gift like you. May you live for many years to come. Happy birthday Yem-yem, Madiba Nkosi. iSASCO iyakuthanda.
Vuyisile Schoeman
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Madiba, happy birthday great man from the
continent of beauty. While you are celebrating your birthday, please spare a bit of your time to think of the children of Congo. Congo needs you Mandela, Africa in conflict needs you. Nkosi sikelel' uMandela.
Sibo
Geneva, Switzerland
Happy birthday, Mr Nelson Mandela. May you enjoy another 85 years.
Rowellan September
Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa
Ouh! Diba, you are the man. You are the hero. You are the stone. The nation is because you are. Happy birthday, our father.
Ndyebo Mququ
Butterworth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Thank you for being the person that you are. You are an inspiration to all (especially my 5-year-old daughter who had the pleasure of sitting on your lap once at the Civic Theatre and has never forgotten it!). Have a fantastic day. I only wish that your day is filled with as much hope and grace as the hope and grace that
you have bestowed on our nation. God bless.
Sharon Mans
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Hope for the best Tata. May you reach many many years to come. Amandla.
Lucky Gorekwang
Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa
Happy birthday, tata.
Tebogo Motale
Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa
From an early age my mother taught me we shouldn't buy groceries from South Africa as it would support a regime of apartheid, and tried to make me understand even though I grew up in the country and had never seen a black person! Now I have grown up to see your achievements and genuine change around the world, and also sponsor a child in Africa. Many happy returns and congratulations on a life that has made people around the world change the way they think. Enjoy the rest of your time - you deserve it!
Flash Wilson
London, United
Kingdom
Wish you a happy birthday o gole o lekane le tlou
Mapiti Matsena
Tshwane, South Africa
The greatest gift the world could have is another Mandela. Happy birthday Mzee!
Victor Mosoti
Rome, Italy
Happy Birthday Madiba. May you celebrate many more in good health.
Georgia Haye
Cape Town
Tata GOD has created a person who symbolises his love to the daughters and sons of this world. Today we are free because of your heart giving from GOD. You sacrificed your time, your family for all of us in the country. May GOD bless you and happy birthday.
Mosa Chabane
Polokwane, South Africa
The mere mention of your name rekindles hopes and optimism every time I reflect on the myriad African problems - poverty, conflicts, corruption et al. May your philosophy and
legacy live forever!!
AbuBakr Ogle
Nairobi, Kenya
It is my privilege to wish you a joyous birthday, Mr Mandela. I really believe that you inspire millions and you have certainly instilled in me an immense pride to be African. May our beautiful country and continent never forget you, nor the message that you carried. Have a wonderful day.
Charles Miller
Pretoria, South Africa
85 Not out. Happy birthday Tata. We look up to you for a better world.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Sam Silwamba
May God cherish you to see many more birthdays. Wishing you a fun filled and memorable day.
Nolwazi Sekoati
Diepkloof, South Africa
Happy Birthday to you - the world's most loved elder statesman, global icon for peace and reconciliation and South Africa's national treasure. Where would we have been without you? We are
grateful for your wisdom and magnanimity in difficult times.
Happy happy birthday!
Judith February
Cape Town, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, Wishing you health and happiness on your 85th Birthday. You are an inspiration and an example to all children of Africa - may there be many that follow in your footsteps. Here's to many more years of you leading the way.
Amanda Barrett
London, England (from Cape Town)
Happy Birthday, Sir! God bless you greatly for being a shining example of what true leadership should be in Africa and indeed in the whole world. May your efforts never be in vain.
Nnaemeka Okochi
Sweden
You have touched my life. Happy birthday Madiba! May the sun always shine on your face.
Vanessa Smith-Glintenkamp
Cape Town, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela. My warmest wishes to you on your
birthday. May you have a day filled with love, joy and special memories. You are a true inspiration to us all. Love and best wishes,
Nicky, Chad and baby Jessica
Nicola Johnson
Cape Town, South Africa
Happy birthday, my hero Mandela!! May your courage and determination influence me more to add to what you have already given our continent.
Sidat Yaffa
Huntsville, Alabama, USA
Best wishes for a wonderful birthday Mr Mandela! Thank you for showing us what forgiveness means and for giving our beautiful country hope. Ek bewonder u daarvoor en wens u goeie gesondheid en 'n gelukkige toekoms toe!
I would say "yes" to cloning if we could clone you!
Sandra Mans
Potchefstroom, South Africa
To the greatest peace inspirator of our time. Hope you live another 100 years!
Hasma Maharaj
Amsterdam, Holland
Tata,
this is to wish you the happiest birthday you ever had and to wish you better health condition as you look forward to 'retirement'. May your remaining days be filled with fulfilment. Regards to all your children and wife.
Adetunji Bello
Stramorne, Newcastle, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Happiiiiiiiii birthday Tata, may God bless you and give you more to come!
Henry Mokakabye
Thembisa, Gauteng, South Africa
On behalf of Tshepo-Dibe Technology Youth Foundation, of which I am the chairman, I would like to thank you for the resources you have made available for us, I believe it's now up to the youth and South Africans at large to take this further. One thing that I know you would like to hear is that Tshepo-Dibe Technology Youth Foundation is here to complete that task, thanks to you. Enjoy your birthday and we are happy that you are getting younger and younger, don't worry we will take care of you,
meaning we will take care of this country 'cause that is your mission, vision and goal of existence. You are a product of a collective leadership. We are with you, God bless.
Tshepo Dibe
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday!
Matt
USA
Surely you will be rewarded by the Almighty God. You have set the example for African leaders to follow.
Alie Bah
USA
Ukhule uze ukhokhobe Ntsimbi ayigobi.
Many, many happy returns Bra Madiba.
Steve Khala
Hamburg, Germany
Deux destins différents pour deux ëtres nés avec 51 ans de distance. Nous ne nous rencontrerons jamais. Mais de tout coeur je te souhaite un bon anniversaire et longevité. Moi mon rêve de t'écrire pour ce souhait vient de se réaliser.
LEDO Charlotte Aurore
Brazzaville, Congo
As you have brought joy
and hope into the lives of millions, may the Lord fill your life with so much joy. May every new day be filled with new testimonies in your life, may God keep you alive, Africa's greatest hero. Even if I will never meet you, you will always be my greatest inspiration. Happy birthday.
Clarke Raphael
Nigeria
Ukhule ungakhokhobi, Tata inga ndingakugalela ityiwa ungaboli.
Yolanda Lupondo
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
May the light you have brought to Africa and the black race be forever strong.
Adewuyi Davies
Canada
Barend, Retha, Marietjie (13) and Anja (11) Vos hope you'll have a wonderful birthday. Thank you for being an inspiration and a true role model! We look forward to your 95th! Have a good year.
Marietjie Vos
Warrenton, Northern Cape, South Africa
Dear Leader. I want to wish you a happy
birthday. More so I want to thank your existence and the ANC as without you and the organisation we would not be where we are today. As a young worker I have gained a lot of insight and courage to eliminate and fight oppression in all its forms through your legacy. Most of my friends admire the unbelievable stances you have taken in your life together with your comrades and serve to guide us in our daily struggles be it worker or student struggles. Your legacy and courage will ever be with us. Enjoy your birthday.
Malizo Sinono
Alberton, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday and may God bless you and shine His grace on you. You are one of the great leaders of our era and a good authority for mama Africa our dear continent.
Jerome
Pawtucket, RI, USA
Mister Mandela, wish you a very happy birthday from Holland, wish you would be a few years younger so you could lead South Africa a bit
longer.
Frank Geluk
Grijpskerke, Holland
Darling Madiba, A blessed birthday wish to you - may your spirit live on forever. You are a true icon and mentor to me. My dearest wish is that I may hug you one day. Love from an extremely passionate South African. PS. Graca, don't miss a day without hugging your dearest man. Love
Denise Schmidt
Blouberg, Cape Town, South Africa
Sir, your light shines everywhere you go, and long may it continue to shine. God bless and stay healthy, you're much loved.
Dimeji Lanlehin
Northwood, England
Happy birthday tata! May the good Lord grant you many more years and keep you strong. You are a marvellous person. I wonder what the world will be like without you. You have set a good example in all what you do. You are such a humble and inspirational person. I am astounded as to why other politicians do not just copy what
you have demonstrated all along. The world will be a peaceful place with leaders like you. Mandela, Tata, enjoy your day.
Kenneth Phakathi
United Kingdom
You continue to be an inspiration to humanity - have a lovely day.
Kevin Weller
New York, USA
Happy birthday tata. May God bless you, and see you through to a healthy 100 years or more with us!
Lebogang Nthathe
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Congratulations, may God bless you!
Mary Aloyce
Tanzania
Mr Mandela, we salute you! You made all South Africans proud. May you be blessed! Hugs
Ronel van Zyl
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Maybe one day there will be more world leaders like you around.
Libertad
Nicaragua
Happy birthday Mr Mandela! May you be blessed with
many more. Godspeed!
Aya Sanipe
San Francisco, CA
May you live further with joy and inspire humanity with your principled leadership. Your time with us on the day of Eid lives in our hearts! May the SABC video which records that historic day be an inspiration for all. Long live Madiba! Long live the spirit of camaraderie with Muslims and our fellow citizens!
Iqbal Jhazbhay
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Dearest Madiba. Your mere presence adds a sparkle to every day of my life. My gratitude to you, for your years of struggle cannot be expressed in words. Thank you. May the Heavens smile down upon you on your 85th birthday! God bless.
Sumaiya
Mpumalanga, South Africa
Happy birthday Mandela, I have just finished reading your autobiography and I want you to know that I am in the process of changing my life for the better. I wish you are around for the
next 100 years. God bless you.
Alexander Adeoye
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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The Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book:
