Dear Mr Mandela ...
Welcome to the official Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book, page 12
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.
What a wonderful gift God gave us in Nelson Mandela. Our country was extremely fortunate that it was someone of his calibre who was at the helm of our ship of state as we negotiated the rapids of our transition from repression and injustice to freedom and democracy. It is almost certain that had we had anyone else less richly endowed with the gifts Madiba has demonstrated we would not have made it to first base. Just imagine – had Mr de Klerk encountered someone consumed by bitterness and a lust for revenge and retribution, it is highly unlikely that he would have announced
the very courageous initiatives which took our breath away on February 2nd 1990.
He was able to have done so because he was confronted by someone who after 27 years of incarceration quite remarkably was without a trace of bitterness. Someone who was to bowl us all over with his magnanimity and willingness to forgive. He lived out what he asked of others. He invited his white jailor to attend his presidential inauguration as a VIP guest. He had lunch at the presidency with Dr Percy Yutar who had demanded the death penalty for the Rivonia trialists. He visited Mrs Betsy Verwoerd, widow of the architect of apartheid.
We accomplished a relatively peaceful transition in 1994 largely because of him, because of his remarkable stature as a man of integrity, compassion and forgiveness. We owe him an immense debt of gratitude and want to wish him the richest blessings for his 85th birthday and pray that he has many more.
Desmond Tutu, Archbishop
Emeritus
Cape Town, South Africa
Tate Madiba, May the sun and the moon bless and protect you and your family for many years to come, the same way your spirit and leadership has blessed the people of South Africa, Africa and the world at large. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Lidia Pretorius
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa
To a big spirit, who is an inspiration to all and will live forever. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Ubenemini enamathamsanqa!!
Directors, Management and Staff at Kenilworth Clinic
Kenilworth, Cape Town, South Africa
I feel privileged to have lived in your era. Happy birthday Tata, hope you will see many more.
Alex Sepeng
Kelvin, South Africa
Madiba, it is wonderful that you will celebrate your 85th birthday, free and happy, loved and honoured by your countrypeople and by the whole world. Some people wrongly call you a 'saint' - but you are much greater than that. You are an
ordinary fallible man who disciplined himself to challenge one of the worst racial tyrannies ever, to survive brutal punishment, and to emerge victorious and magnanimous. We are honoured by your life among us.
David Philips
Melbourne, Australia
To a wonderful man who has achieved so much in such a short space of time, you are an inspiration to me and to millions of others all over the world. Bless you and have a Happy Birthday Madiba.
Christos Aranitis
Johannesburg, South Africa
Veels geluk Madiba, mag die Here jou seen en nog baie jare spaar. Hiep Hiep-Hoora.
Estelle Esterhuizen
Randfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Madiba, many manifold blessings on this day - may God's face shine upon and keep you in strength, health and happiness. Forever you will be remembered! May your smile never fade.
Cleone Carter-Smith
Roodepoort North, Gauteng, South
Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba! You make us proud to be South Africans.
Joshua (8) and Keagan Lotter (4)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Whoore, to you Madiba. Happy birthday Madiba, you are the man with a vision and a passion for your country, may God give you and your family more and many more wonderful years. Happy birthday.
Zinhle Memela
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Happy Birthday to a gentle giant. We all love you very much. Mudzimu a shudufhadze.
Khaluitwe Tsedu
Johannesburg, South Africa
Baba Madiba, the king of kings, I wish you many more years to come. all the best. happy birthday Baba MANDELA.
Mandla Billy Mthimunye
Vlaklaagte, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Madiba, our father, may I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Birthday and may you see another 85 years. Lots of Love.
The Pillay family
Benoni, Gauteng,
South Africa
Many happy and healthy returns, Tata. You are the inspiration and hope to all of us. May the good Lord bless you with continued good health and happiness. You surely deserve it.
Harold Marsberg
East London, South Africa
Tata, I thank God every day for bringing us angels like you every once in a while. Happy Birthday mubebi washu, vha hule vha hule, Aaa.
Takalane Tsedu
Buccleuch, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday Mr Mandela. May God keep you safe now and always.
Irene, Andrew, Neofito and Dimitra Evangelidis
Gauteng, South Africa
Dear Madiba, Happy 85th! Thanks to God for having given Africa such a great statesman. We are soo proud of you and may you live to see 85 more great years!!
Fredrick Kidi
Germany
You're the Sun of the World, we all got light from u, from the day you were born, no man born of a woman will ever harm
you, YOU ARE THE WORLD'S GREATEST!!
Gcobisa
Johannesburg, South Africa
Without Madiba the new SA would not have been possible. God's richest blessings will be yours. Congratulations.
N Jacobs
Tshwane, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba!!! May your 85th Birthday be the most enjoyable one you have had yet - and may God bless you and keep you for at least another 85 years!!! Thank you for eveything you have meant to the people of South Africa - Thank you for setting standards that we can be proud of - God bless you ABUNDANTLY!!!!! Thank you for giving of yourself!
Shona
Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa
To a great man - I salute you! I am so proud that I could see the Madiba Magic. Best wishes for a peaceful old age.
Marina
Johannesburg, South Africa
You almost share the same birthdate as my mother. She was born on 20th July 1918. Although frail, she is still in
good health. I therefore want to thank you for what you did for this country. By being a real gentlemen and a man of high morals, you had earned your place in history. May your day be filled with happiness, good health and may there be many more!
Rina van Coller
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy birthday Mr Nelson Mandela, may you see many more years to come! Enjoy your day on Friday.
Leon Mbongwa
Durban, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba. Hope you have a fantastic day. You are still the one person I would most like to meet in all the world. You are an inspiration to us all and you deserve much happiness in your 85th year. All the best.
Gordon Robinson
London, UK
Tata Madiba happy birthday, may you see many more, may God keep you as we need your guidance to lead our great country to new hights. May God bless you tata, we love you.
Tshifhiwa Mabanga
Naturena, South
Africa
HIP HIP HOOORAY ... Here is a Birthday Message for A Great Man, A man who has faced the odds and won. You are truly an icon. South Africa is proud to have you as the Father of our Nation ... Hope you have a Wonderful 85TH Birthday and that the Lord Blesses you with Good Health and Strength for the remainder of your years. Lots of love.
Michelle and Taye
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Beste Mandela, Baie geluk met jou verjaardag. Jy is vir ons 'n insperasie en 'n voorbeeld van vergewensgesindheid. Mag die Here jou nog baie jare spaar. Baie liefde.
Marcelle Geyling
Bapsfontein, South Africa
Tata u are like the Messiah, we thank God for giving us a man like u, who understands, loves, cares and cherishes. You are a true leader, a father of a universe. Happy birthday Tata may you see many many years to come!!!!
Winston
Alexandra, Gauteng, South Africa
Halala Madiba Ngqolomsila
Yem-Yem Vela bambhentsele Ndingathini nje ngawe ndiswele amazwi okubonga diza dala kade bemkhwahlaza wena kade unetwa zimvula ulwela thina sizwe esintsundu ngesiyini ngaphandle kwakho Madiba yem-yem Ngqolomsila langa elihle Ngemini yakho yoku zalwa kwakho Madiba khula baba kodwa ungakhokhobi sisa jonge lukhulu kuwe baba MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH YOUR FAMILY, HAVE MORE MANY YEARS TO COME.
Lusanda Ngqolowa
Johannesburg, South Africa
Hi tata! this is Keneilwe and I hereby wish you happy birthday and many more to come.
Keneilwe Legote
Itsoseng, South Africa
To a great man with all the qualities that make him a giant of the Millennium - Humility, Integrity, Honesty, Fantastic judgement, amazing courage and forthrightness - a just and fair man with true dignity. May you be blessed with a joyous birthday and contentment in the years to come. May you live to see the majority of South Africans living together in mutual respect and
tolerance - may you see the haves taking as much responsibility for crime as the have not's. May you see a time where South Africans learn to share in a spirit of understanding and compassion - May you live to see a time when farmers voluntarily take sections of their land and divide it between their farm workers - May you live to see a time when those farm workers work hard on their plots and begin to make a living for themselves and their families. May you live to see a time when South Africans really care for one another, no matter the colour of their skin. Happy Birthday, my giant of the Millennium.
Rose Morrow
Durban, South Africa
People the world over need to see that whatever the circumstances, if you believe in yourself and others you will succeed. I am a double amputee who has risen above what others expected, to do things most thought impossible. I did this through self belief and the belief in others (including the staff at Baragwanath where I
was the only white patient to be seen). Although our circumstances and hardships are very different I would like you to know that you have inspired me to achieve my desires, to push my limits and the limits others set on me ... Happy birthday Madiba, father to many and brother to all ... may you be with us for as long as your heart can bear. PS I hope you read this. Keep smiling and stay safe.
Mike Stevens
Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy birthday TATA MADIBA. We are over the moon to say that 'We are proudly South Africans' because of you TATA. Long live the icon.
Simphiwe Cele
Umlazi, Durban, South Africa
We wish you the happiest birthday ever. We pray that your days should be filled with joy and peace. May God bless you and keep you strong and give you more years to live, so that our children should also see you and take an example from your life. We love you.
Nokwanda and Siziwe Mooi
Soweto, Johannesburg,
South Africa
Mr Mandela words cannot describe the man you are, praise singers and books cannot describe the man you are, you stand alongside a great like Martin Luther King Jnr. History alone will tell others how great a man you are, but we PROUD South Africans have the privilege of knowing how great you are. HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY, SIR and may there be many more. PS Please inspire others to be like you, because only leaders such as yourself can make this world a better place.
Mike Burns
Norkem Park, South Africa
Ndaa!!! Musanda I personally want to wish the big man a happy birthday. May Our Lord save you and keep you longer for our liberation. ri ri vha hule vha kokovhe.
Morries Mabada
Johannesburg, South Africa
Nne ndi ri halaaaaaala baba! Vha hule, Ri de ri vha tshinele na tshigombla ri tshi takalela maduvha avho a mabebo ri tshi imba ri tshi ri, kha vha hule vha fhire na ndou ......... Mudzimu avha engedzele
maduvha a vhutshilo. Halaaaaaaala!!!!
Kedibone Gavhi
Khubvi, Limpopo, South Africa
Tata Madiba, after a very very long road you've travelled, we supported you and it's not yet over. For that day (18 July) sit down and relax, drink a glass of still water, enjoy your big day with everyone. Have many many years, ukhule ungakhokhobi, UNGAVUMI!!!!!!!
Sandile
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy birthday Madiba. May you have a splendid day and may all your wishes come through. Lots of love and hugs from the ANC Drakenstein Zone and the ANC Research Unit in Parliament, Cape Town.
Rhian van Wyk
Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa
Happy birthday Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. You know I always compare you to Moses, who freed his people, guided them and brought them out of oppression. I regard you as a prophet and one day the gates of heaven will open up for you. You are a born leader that is humble and inspires us all.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS BE FULFILLED!!
Joy Anne Christian Jacobus
Eersterust, Pretoria, South Africa
Huntshu ngosuku lokuzalwa kwakho,
Zahlokom'iintili zeAfrika,
Baxokozel'onozala,
Yimincili nenigcobo,
Kub'unyama weSizwe uzelwe..
Ngu Rholihlaba ka Mandela, Aaaah Dalibhunga,
Uthetha kuhlokom'amawa ehlabathi,
Ubuso bukhaziml'okokwezi,
Umisebenzi eqaqamba njengo Mso..
Sibuleka uMdali ngosinika uBawo, iNkokheli, iQabane, noMhlobo onguwe.
Ulonwabele usuku lwakho lokuzalwa,
UMdali akunike imihla emide,
Igama lakho kunye
nemisebenzi yakho ibhaliwe ezintliziyweni zethu.
Mhakube Chosi kube Hele, Camagu ....
Sizwe Petse
Johannesburg, South Africa
Good day Sir, my family and myself wish you a very happy 85th birthday. Myself, my father and godfather have our birthdays in July. I wish you good health and a prosperous year and everything of the
best. Thank you for the example you set and may each and every youngster in SA see it, grab it and hold on to it! Hlala gahle Ndota! Groete.
Yvonne Hohls
Montana Park, Pretoria, South Africa
Mandela, en cette journee d'anniversaire, pense plus a ton Dieu et a l'avenir de l'afrique car tu es un homme choisi par lui meme le tres, donne de bon conseils a tout les presidents africains specialement ceux de la rdc, angola, monrovia pour que la paix revienne.
Symphorien Citenga
Kinshasa, RDC
Happy Birthday Madiba, and thank you for all you have done for South Africa. You are a true hero.
Peter Young
Durban, South Africa
Babewetfu, Babe Madiba. Ngaphandle kwakho lesive saseNingizimu Afrika besiyoba yini na? UnguBabewetfu, ulichawe letfu, ulitsemba letfu, ulikusasa letfu, ungiko konkhe emSouth Africans, ema Africans, umhlaba wonkhe lokudzingako. Ngako-ke ngitsi khula udzimate ukhokhobe Babe Madiba.
This is just the begining, you still have another 27 years to live Babe. The surrounding love of the South Africans and that of the rest of the world will give you more reasons to live. Happy Birthday Rolihlahla Madiba Nelson Mandela. May God Bless you every step of the way.
Solomon Mbonangaye Sigauke
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Tata, there are not so many words that can really express the admiration and respect I have for you. But I should say We, Africans and the rest of the world community, were blessed 85 years ago when you were born and also are still blessed that God has kept you with us even up to today. As you celebrate your 85th Birthday, may God bless you and give you more strength to lead us even more in this turbulent period of world reforms and human development. Tata, as the Batswana say, Gole o tlhogole o nne le bophelo bo bo leele, masego ke ao Rre.
Kenalemang Moseki
Claremont, South Africa
Dear Mr
Mandela - many happy returns of the day. We wish you happiness and good health. Thank you for being such a wonderful example to all of us.
Petra and Jan Botha
Meyerton, Gauteng, South Africa
Have a wonderful day Mandela. Greetings from me in Ireland. God Bless.
Shireen Sayed
Dublin, Ireland
Happy Birthday, Madiba! We wish you many more years to come. The gift that Loxion Kulca can assure you of is that we are going and carry through your legacy. As children of the African soil, we are going to nurture and prosper in this beautiful country of ours.
Wandi and Sechaba of Loxion Kulca
South Africa
Happy Birthday! I'm honoured to be sending this message to you. I admire your courage and your personality. May you have a wonderful day filled with joy and laughter.
Ntuthu
King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa
May your days be long your
nights warm and may God smile on you always.
Min'emnandi kuwe, Tata
From all at Red Icon in Cape Town, South Africa
It takes a heart of gold to forgive a nation. A lion's heart to create a rainbow country. May God shower his choicest blessing upon you, for ever.
Shireen Davids & Family
Bosmont, Johannesburg, South Africa
I'm actually honoured and humbled to share in your invaluable life time. Today I'm a trainee Chartered Accountant because of your efforts . . . from hopelessness to pride! Best wishes TATA, may you see many more! A world without you is like a world without water!
Paseka Masemula
Pretoria, South Africa
Gareth, Sandra, Brett, Gavin and Elaine wish Madiba a Happy 85th Birthday, we wish you Wealth, Health and lots of Happiness in the years ahead.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, I hope that God will be kind to the world, and that
you will live for another 100 years! Happy Birthday, we really love you a lot. Lots of love
Lazelle
Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Madiba, May you be blessed for many happy years to come. Thank you for what you are doing for RSA!
HF and DN Grobler
Germiston, Johannesburg, South Africa
Daddy Nelson Mandela May God's Blessings be showered on you and those around you!! You are our Hero, Father, Grandfather & Brother to us. You mean the world to us! A MODIMO A GO OKELETSE TSOHLE....!
Mmamie & Omphile Ntlhe
Mamelodi, Gauteng, South Africa
You're an inspiration to all of us. Ukhule Tata sicela ungakhokhobi ubukhona bakho buyasiphilisa Tata. May you see many more to come.
Yvonne and Zabo
Durban, South Africa
Happy birthday Tata! and many many more! I hope you take the day off . . .
Vauneen
Johannesburg, South
Africa
Many happy returns, Sir, and may I take this opportunity of thanking you for all you have done for this country.
Mike Illing
Durban, South Africa
TATA, you are one of a kind and I wish you God's richest blessings on your birthday. Long live Madiba, long live.
John Hendricks
Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town, South Africa
Ubudoda sibubona kuwe Rolihlahla. UnguMde ngentonga hayi ngesithomo kuphele. Yanga uSombawo angajugcina baze unyana bethu bayibone lee Bhakala yase Africa. "I am honoured to have lived shared the air with you. Same time with you and the same country with you". "Ngxasho Diba lama Diba. Ngonyama ka Xhosa noMzantsi Africa"
Siviwe Mazwana
Cape Town, South Africa
Happy Birthday Tata wethu, wanga ungayonwabela imini yakho. UThixo akuphe eminye iminyaka emide.
Nodumo & Zolile
King William’s Town, Cape Town
Happy
Birthday!! May the good Lord add many more years to your life. It feels unsafe to stay in this planet without you.
Mbongiseni
Arcon Park, South Africa
Happy Birthday, the Tireless Lion of Africa. U went thru hell just to see us liberated and our lives bettered. We will continue to salute you till eternity. We love you, dibadiba!!
Rockz
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy birthday, khehla
Ephraim Shabane
Umlazi, Durban, South Africa
Happy Birthday to the most inspirational person in the world.
Slabber Family
Cape Town, South Africa
Happy Birthday, I would love to meet you one day.
Lori
Cape Town, South Africa
To Tata You are a inspiration to us all, allowing us to reach personal heights we never thought possible before!
Ricky
Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy 85th Birthday Mr Mandela!
May the God’s smile on you and grant you many more birthdays in the sun.
Warmest wishes
Nic Louw
Johannesburg, South Africa
My Dear Mandela: My three year-old son already knows you! Last year in the US I listed you as my ideal leader. I love and respect you. Nigeria loves you. The world loves you. Happy birthday!
Wilson Akpan
Grahamstown, South Africa
Tata Madiba, have a blessed B-Day. God’s blessings be upon you always. I will always be grateful for everything you have done for our people and our nation.
Celine
Kimberley, South Africa
Ntate Moholo, ekare Morena Molimo a ka chechisetsa lilemo tsa hao morao ka tse lekanang le tseo u li lutseng teronkong. Re ntse re u hloka, ha ke rate ho nahana ka lilemo tsa hao tse ngata. Ke u lakaletsa mahlohonolo letsatsing la hao la tsoalo. Ka moso Molimo a re fe Nelson Mandela e mong re tle re seke ra hlora ha u se u le
sieo.
Puleng Molaoa
Ladybrand, Free State, South Africa
Tata Madiba Thank God for ur life. u are a wonderful man. may God protect u and be with u always. Happy birthday!!
Lerato Monyeki
Johannesburg, South Africa
Rremogolo Madiba Modimo a go tshegofatseka letsatsi la gago la matsalo. O motho yo o botlhokwa thata mo lefatsheng mme re gopola fa o tla nna le rona sebaka se se telele.
Seadimo Menong
Moreleta Park, South Africa
The man of man who has out done himself in almost everything he touch turns in to a portrait of the world, with this words I deeply say happy birthday ntate rolihlahla mandela.
Thabo
Swoeto, South Africa
Happy Birthday to one of the greatest men to walk the earth. May you be spared many more years. God Bless
Diana Marcus
Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town, South Africa
Happy Birthday!! May
you have many more and be blessed in the many more you celebrate!
Laura dos Santos
Gauteng, South Africa
A happy and healthy birthday wish to the greatest African to be born on the African continent, ever!!Your integrity, stature and steadfastness under the most testing circumstances have given me inspiration to endure, believe and never give up on the dream for all mankind. Peace be unto you. May god bless you to be with us for many more years, Madiba.
Hanne-lore Izatt
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Thank you for the kind of sacrifice you have done for your country. It is because of you that we're able to taste the fruits of freedom. We say long live your spirit long live. May god give you some extra years because we still need your guidance, bless you abundantly and his light of love shine upon you always. Happy Birthday Tata. Happy birthday!
senatla sa dinatla.
David Nteo
Pretoria, South
Africa
Happy birthday, Mr Mandela. You are an inspiration to all. You are the greatest leader of all time. May God bless you on this great day and may you see many more.
Mohamed Sayad
Durban, South Africa
Dear Madiba, I want to start off by saying we love you very much and a very sincere thank you for your love for us too (shown by the immense sacrifice you have made for this nation). God Bless you and your family on this wonderful moment in your life and may you continue to enjoy good health, laughter and joy for as long as the Lord give you to us. A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you MADIBA. You are always in our prayers.
Ashley Olkers
Ravensmead, Cape Town, South Africa
Tata - words can never describe how thankful we are as the youth of South Africa. We are who we are today because you had a vision and you fought for it. We might not always show it - but we are indeed greatful. May the Lord Bless you. O gole
ogole ntate. A modimo a go okeletse.
Simon & Kefilwe Peta
Musina, Limpopo, South Africa
Tata Happy Birthday and may God give you few more years 'cause this world still need you. Happy Birthday!
Thabo
Doornpoort, Pretoria, South Africa
Happy Birthday. I hope you stay with us much longer as we need your voice to represent us! Thank you very much for dedicating your life to all South Africans.
Mark Rieker
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba. You have been a great inspiration to not only our country but to the world. You have given people the motivation to communicate and embrace each other irrespective of their differences and I hope that you have many more happy years to witness all your dreams and aspirations for our country.
Brandon and Leanne
Cape Town, South Africa
A blessed birthday to you! May the Lord keep you
with us for many years to come.
Marie de Wet
Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa
Through your example we have learnt that there is much we can celebrate about being South African.
Olwyn Garratt
Cape Town, South Africa
God's richest blessings on your birthday. May God grant you health and happiness in just the same way you have given so many people happiness. You have managed to change people's outlook on life in a way no other person has ever managed to do. Enjoy your birthday and I hope that your family spoil you rotten.
Lonita Hart
Cape Town, South Africa
Madiba, my Family and I wish you a wonderful day and Year to follow. May you enjoy your day with your family and friends. Thanks for EVERYTHING that you have done for South Africa. You are surely an inspiration for all the people in South Africa and the world. May God save you for many more years to come and may you only experience good
health.
Hennie Botha and family
Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa
Mr Mandela, You are a Hero to many! On this Special Day I wanna wish you many more years, many blessings, much love and happiness! May you still be with us for a very very long time! Happy Birthday To You! All my love.
Bianca Cornelius
Pretoria, South Africa
Qhawe lamaqhawe, lwande udumo lwakho.
Edward Khumalo
Mamelodi, Pretoria, South Africa
May God bless you and keep you until you reach more than 100 years, you are an inspiration to young people like us and your words of advice are welcome. keep it up to teach us how to react to situations that we encounter ... Happy Birthday and many more years to come we love you!!!!
Belinda Ndamase
Bluff, Durban, South Africa
May our heavenly Father spare u to see many more years, happy birthday dear old grand dad. Thank you for your dedication to the
children of this country.
Beryl Lefatola
Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
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The Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book:
