Dear Mr Mandela ...
Welcome to the official Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book, page 20
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.
Many congratulations on your birthday. You are truly inspriring and an example in terms of courage, forgiveness and human dignity. My wife and I are the proud owners of one of your paintings and so we think of you every day. Today even more! Thank you for all you have done for this world so far - we wish you happiness and health in the years to come.
Iman and Quirine Stratenus-Jacobs
Amsterdam, Holland
Happy Birthday, Mr Mandela. Thank you for all that you do for our children. We wish all our leaders were as humble and caring as you. We love
you and wish you God's richest blessings.
Talhado Children's Haven
St Francis Bay, South Africa
Dear Madiba, Happy Birthday!! You stand firmer than than a mountain, Flow stonger than the waves of the sea, against the injustices of the super powers. God bless You!!! Lots of Love.
Saleha Malek
Rustenburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday, Tata today I am one of many black female South Africans studying medicine in my own country. Thank you for your courage, determination and your heart of gold. You have opened doors in my life and made my life full of possibilities. Today I am proud to call myself South African.
Akhona Ludidi
Umtata, South Africa
happy birthday madiba! your contribution to our society is immeasurable and for this we will be eternally grateful. all the best for the years ahead and may god bless you a thousand times over.
Azola Majeke
Cape Town, South
Africa
Dear Mandela, I really hope your b-day is as pleasant as you have been for our country. I also hope you will come visit our school when you have free time. Happy birthday!!!!
Constantine
Woodhill College, Pretoria, South Africa
Madiba, I am taking this opportunity to wish you a very happy birthday. May God bless you and we hope that you will see many more years to come. We love you, and we as South Africans and the world as a whole still need you. Have a splendid birthday and once again, see many more to come.
Sakhile Bhengu
Durban, South Africa
You are an inspiration to all. Every year I teach my class about you, it is the most wonderful topic, which my children love and learn the most from. May you have a wonderful day knowing that you affect so many people in such a positive way. My dream is to meet you one day, so there'd better be a lot more days in your calendar so that we can arrange a
date.
Kim Foster
London, UK
Warm wishes on the birthday of the greatest man on earth. May God bless you.
CJ Leijen
The Netherlands
Happy birthday tata uMadiba ... ndikunqwenelela imihla emide egcwele amathamsanqa ... anga uThixo angakugcina kuba kusekuninzi osafuneka ukulungisile kweli lizwe lethu ... ingakumbi umsebenzi wakho wokujongana nabantwana, ukwakha izikolo, unga ungangenelela nakumba we HIV/AIDS. Siyakuthanda sonke, ulonwabele usuku lwakho lokuzalwa.
Buyiswa Jako
Pretoria, South Africa
Tata Madiba, you are a rare species, even after your passing on you will not be an extinct biped species. Your spirit will live forever. Happy birthday Rolihlahla.
Tatolo Phooko
Mondeor, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear MR MANDELA, Thank you for your many great years of leadership, and for having such a great impact on our country South Africa ... Happy birthday, hope you
have many more.
Camilla
Woodhill College, Pretoria, South Africa
Happy Birthday! Madiba. May you continue to grow from strength to strength.
Commercial Editorial, Independent Newspapers
Durban, South Africa
To the chosen Grandpa of all across the world, may u have a splendid day fit for a number one world citizen. If I could revise the term "Leadership" I would simply have it defined as Nelson Mandela - because u have given it a totally new, refreshing meaning. Ntatemogolo wa ka o senatla go gaisa dinatla tsohle lefaseng. I want u to know that your great mentor the Great Walter Sisulu continues to watch over you and will find a way to celebrate with u. In my entire life I have never come across a man so loving, so forgiving, so humble, so giving, so unselfish, so positive ... I could go on and on, and whilst writing this I find it so hard to hold back a tear, the thought of u leaving this earth one day is just so
unimaginable and with that I pray GOD keeps u for many more years to come as we, mostly the young who didn't really experience the effects of the struggle, still need your guidance as black people to keep us grounded and remind us of where we come from and why we cannot ever let ourselves get back there!!! I love u very much Tata.
Brian Tshabalala
Atteridgeville, Pretoria, South Africa
From a middle-aged white male: Keep it up, you're an inspiration to us all ... may there be many more!
Marius
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy Birthday! You are such an inspiration to millions of people all over the world and bring hope whereever you go! You are a great role model and have earned every bit of respect that people give you! Thank you again for everything you have done for this country and never giving up! Kind Regards.
Fabio Minenza
Woodhill College, Pretoria, South Africa
Mr Mandela, We admire you
for having: 1. The wisdom of the owl 2. The strength of the elephant 3. The far-sightedness of the hawk. May your 85th year be a peaceful one and may your example positively influence people in all corners of the world. We, at UNITAS, regard you as the ultimate example and the ultimate teacher on earth.
Principal and Staff of UNITAS Secondary School
Welkom, Free State, South Africa
You are the reason that I am PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN. What a role model, I wish all other South Africans could be half the person you are, what a country we could and do have. Here's wishing you an awsome birthday and thank you for your contribution to the growth and prosperity of our Nation!
Anton Gaylard
Parkhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa
happy birthday madiba, we love you very much. "we find joy, not in getting, but in expressing what we are. men do not really live for honours or for pay; their gladness is not the taking and holding, but in
doing, the striving, the building, the living. it is a higher joy to teach than to be taught. it is good to get justice, but better to do it; fun to have things but more to make them. the happy man is he who lives the life of love, not for honours it may bring, but for the life itself." - RJ Baughan.
Reddy Family
Durban, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, God's richest blessings on your birthday and may He grant you more years to come so that our nation can learn from what you have achieved over the past 85 years. My wish is for our youth today to take a leaf from your life story and apply it to make this a better place on earth. May the Angels watch over you day and night!
Charmainer Rustin
Strandfontein, Cape Town, South Africa
Happy 85th birthday. Thank you for all you have done for the children of South Africa and the people of the world. We all hope you have many more years in your wonderful life.
Arno van der
Ende
Woodhill College, Pretoria, South Africa
Tata, our liberator, I salute you for making me proud of being black and being South African. May the Lord bless you with at least 15 more years. Your presence amongst us fills us with such hope and we need your humanity, wisdom, guidance more than you can ever imagine. God bless you on this special day.
Nomasonto Mahlangu
Sebokeng, Gauteng, South Africa
Molo tata Mandela. From the bottom of my soul, I just want to take this moment to forward my greatest wishes for your birthday. May the ALMIGHTY care for you and protect you always to see many many more in years to come. Enjoy your birthday! Love you.
Sechaba Bareetseng
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, Happy Birthday, I hope you enjoy your day and may there be many more. You are a truly wonderful person and a great role model for many young South Africans. I hope that you could consider visiting
our privileged school.
Angelique Chantler, Grade 8C
Woodhill College, Pretoria, South Africa
Impilo ende kuwe Madiba and all the best on this special day for u and all people of the world.
Clive and Nhlanhlo Khumalo
Petervale, Johannesburg, South Africa
It was Abraham Lincoln who said: "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." But it was you who made it true. With your character, courage and determination you have made us all "Proudly South African".
Claudia Pillay and Monica Laganparsad
Durban, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you have a wonderful day! You are a great man, one of the greatest. I respect you a lot. You are my biggest role model. You might not be the president any more but I will always think of you as the best President ever! HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY! Lots of love.
Danielle du Plooy
Woodhill
College, Pretoria, South Africa
Happy birthday Sir, I hope you have many more. I hope you Enjoy Your birthday Sir. Many children look up to You as their role model and so do I.
Calvin Scott
Woodhill College, Pretoria, South Africa
Tat'omkhulu ndiyabulela ngokungacingi ngesiqu sakho kuphela, kodwa wacinga nangam ndingekabikho nasesizalweni sikaMa. Umsebsenzi omhle ondenzele wona uyakuvuzwa ngokupheleleyo nguMdali kuphela, kodwa mna ndinombulelo ongazenzisiyo. Mini emnandi yokuzalwa MaDiba omhle!!!
Vuyo Mpapela
Umtata, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba! We love you. Let them eat cake!
David and Michael Watson
Durban, South Africa
Mr Nelson Mandela, Thank you for all the good things you have done for our country and us children. We hope you do many more hopeful things for us. I wish you a happy birthday and may you have many more of these joyful days. Enjoy the
birthday cake you get. Happy B-day and God bless.
Belinda De Jong
Woodhill College, Pretoria, South Africa
Happy Birthday. Let's hope you have many more and continue to serve as the light and inspiration for us all in South Africa.
Victoria Foxcroft
Cape Town, South Africa
You are not growing old, but you're getting better. We love you Madiba. Happy Birthday.
Nkateko
Polokwane, South Africa
happy birthday madiba!! we wish you another 85 years. thanx for all the good things that you have done for us. from nomvuyo, annalize and mandisa at the dept of labour, cape town.
Annalize du Toit
Cape Town, South Africa
Dear Madiba, I am a Ugandan living in the far north of the Limpopo province. You visited a school twice near to where I live (Tshivhase Secondary School) and due to circumstances I could not control I never got to see you both times. You are an inspiration to
all of us, I admire the goodness in you and that you believe in it. When I got this chance to say Happy birthday to You I was excited. Don't know if you will ever read it, but never mind I know I sent it. My birthday is 6 days after yours so I share a birthday month with you!! Happy birthday to You Dear Mandela, And wishing you more. Enjoy them. God Bless you truly.
Liz Ddungu and family
Vhufuli, Limpopo, South Africa
When South Africa needed hope, God gave it to us thru Madiba. Your smile brings joy to us. You keep on lifting the hurdle bar everyday of your life. May God bless you more each second.
Daniel Kekane
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy birthday Mr Mandela! I wish you and I wish the world many happy returns of this day. You are a great man and a blessing to us all.
Rudolph Sormani
The Netherlands
Happy Birthday Tata! You are a living ancestor. You delivered us just like Moses. Today we
are proud to be South Africans. May God Bless and give you painless and healthy 100 years. Love you.
Makana Ndimande
Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Dearest Mandela, I wish you a wonderful birthday and many more to come! I look up to you as a role model in my life and I think you are a great person. May you have many more happy days in your life. God bless.
Megan Edmonds
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Today I salute you for your calmness whenever and whereever there was confusion. In the past 85 years you tasted the good, the bad and the ugly. If you were to start all over again as a child, I think today at 85 was the right time to do so. Your presence means a lot to us and God knows that you still have a lot to teach. You are the pillar of our strength. Your life is like reading a book to me and I always take a leaf from it. I am happy to say HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY MADIBA, "u Nhenha ya tinhenha".
Norman
Chauke
Green Farm, Limpopo, South Africa
Meeting you at Bongani just as you were released from Prison was a special day for us. Happy Birthday - take it easy and start to think of yourself not us for a change. Love from the Border Family.
Tricia Border
Dainfern, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Nelson, I hope you have a great birthday and keep on rocking.
Stuart Roberts
Durban, South Africa
well, well, congrats!! happy 85th birthday, i consider you my father and the good thing is you don't know it. i adore you sooooo much. enjoy your day and God bless africa!!
Theo Kusaya
Harare, Zimbabwe
You have made us proud, you are the world, you are our father, our leader, our hope, our joy. We thank you for all the things that you have done for South Africa and the world. I wish you a very Happy Birthday, and may you have many more. Mini emyoli kuwe Tata!!!!!!!
Bonginkosi
Gwegwe
Ncumbe, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Many Blessings to you Tata! on your 85th Birthday. ViVa Madiba ViVa!! Khula Madiba Khula!!! Happy Birthday!
Collen Tsaagane
Katlehong, East Rand, South Africa
to our wonderful ex president and father figure to many south africans, may you be blessed with many more years of good health, happiness and joy. we love you.
Merle
Cape Town, South Africa
"Tau ya kgale, sebata sa naga, wena seana tlou" (the elderly lion in the pack, the wild one, the one who sings praise to the elephant), you are the pillar of the nation, the father of all of us, the light on a distant horizon and a leader amongst leaders. One can never stop singing praises to you. O gole o khokhobe (may you have many many more shining days in your life), because your presence in this world brings sanity and security to many of us. This is from the very deepest bottom of my heart, to you. We love
you very much as our father, our leader, our strength, our mentor. Have a very special one. Happy birthday to you. ROLIHLAHLA!!
Raymond Sekele
Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, I hope your birthday is filled with love and happiness. Thank you for all that you have done for us. I hope to follow your example and always be a positive and constructive influence on my fellow South Africans. I hope one day in my own small way to help South Africa achieve her full potential. Lots of Love and best regards.
Melanie-Jayne Muller
Fairland, Gauteng, South Africa
Rona ba ga Morulane ko Pankop would like to wish you, Rre Mandela a happy 85th birthday. Re leboga Modimo go re tshegofatsa ka monna o o bonolo jaaka wena. Enjoy the day and many more that will follow.
Sam and Dora Morulane and family
Pankop, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba, Your contribution to mankind is
unimaginable!!!
Shadreck Situmbeko
Zambia/Botswana
Age is not measured by years, it is measured by what one did. You have done so much for us. Thank you. Happiii.
Rhoda Dzina
Queenstown, South Africa
Happy 85th birthday Madiba. We are where we are today because of your sacrifice for our country.
Zoliswa Marawu
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Happy birthday Madiba!!! May the good Lord bless you abundantly and give you a healthy life. You are such a wonderful man. Have a blessed birthday. Long live Madiba!!
Elijah Chombo
Observatory, Johannesburg, South Africa
Beste Madiba, Hartlik geluk met u herdenking van die 85ste verjaarsdag. Mag u nog lank gespaar word as simbool van hoop, vrede en liefde. My vrou en ek sal wat gee om u hand te skud. Dankie vir alles in die verlede, hede en toekoms. Groete en waardering.
Piet Venter (62 jaar)
Sasolburg,
South Africa
Tatomkhulu! Wanga uThixo anganawe, akugcine khonukuze ukwazi ukuqhubeka nemisebenzi yakho emihle. Happy Birthday, Diba!
Mbedie Matiwane
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tata Madiba may you have a very happy birthday and God bless you.
Maggie Mogomotsi
Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Beloved former pres Mandela, I feel honoured to add my voice to all the best wishes. Your selfless service to South Africa has taught us a lot, made us better people. Thank you for your sacrifice and love. May God bless you.
Karen N
Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa
Dearest Madiba, may GOD grant you Health and more wisdom to continue being the driving force with Peace and forgiveness in this beautiful Rainbow nation of ours, thank you for being an inspiration. Muito Obrigado, Deus o Abencoe junto da sua Esposa Graca.
Bruno Martins
Cape Town, South
Africa
Howzit Madiba, may you have many more birthdays because although you have done so much for our country we still need you here! Happy birthday, you are a legend!
Nicholas Ramsay
Durban, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba. You are one of a kind. You have made this country special and worth living in. We hope you have an extra special birthday, hopefully as special as you are to this country!
The Garrett and Aungiers Family
Johannesburg, South Africa
Wishing you the best. You have been our idol and inspiring role model. Continued blessings for the future!
Valerie Gallop
New York City, USA
While lilies are growing and oceans are flowing, a nation celebrates a day that changed lots of ways, As long as a great man leads the day, knowing his knowledge comes from the Upper Way, all his decisions and power will be blessed and done, for he is doing it in the will of the Great Big
One!!!! May all the blessings be with you for all great things! Happy Birthday!!
Yolanda
Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa
In 1998, I shook your hand on the steps of my school. I've never felt such soft hands, and the warmth you exuded was incredible. May you have the most wonderful birthday imaginable - as well as Happy Anniversary to you and Graca. We love you, Madiba.
Robyn Eshelby
Johannesburg, South Africa
To the world's most loved leader, Happy Birthday and may God bless you with many more happy years!
Natanya
Johannesburg, South Africa
The Basque Liberation movement joins millions around the world in warmly wishing that giant of the South African struggle for liberation a happy 85th birthday. As people who fight for liberation we are heavily indebted to the example of this stalwart of the liberation of south african people. We pay tribute to his strength and resilience, which the
apartheid regime failed to break even through 27 years of incarceration. It is for us a celebration of a life dedicated to the liberation of the SA people and humanity as a whole. Dedicated to the idea of freedom, equality and justice. We sincerely wish Madiba a happy celebration with the family. Unwele olude Madiba!
Arnaldo Otegi Batasuna
Basque Country
Not only are u our pillar of strength, but you are the rock on which humanity is built. Happy Birthday Tata.
Mojalefa Mosito
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Madiba, We wish you health and many more years with us. We are proud to work in an institution that carries your name and will strive to live up to your greatness. Lots of love and respect.
Ashni, Carmen, Casey and Liza, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine
Durban, South Africa
Tata, thank God for your life which has touched and enriched others the world over. One wishes you could live for
another 85 years so you can see the fruits of your endeavours, however this is not possible. May the Lord Bless you in abundance on Friday as you celebrate your birthday with loved ones. My heart will be with you and have a BLESSED DAY!! MADIBA!!!
Esther Maluleke
Johannesburg, South Africa
Thank you for being such a wonderful person!! May not only your birthday but every day be a great day, and ensure you make time for enough rest!!
George van Reenen
Pretoria, South Africa
Dear Madiba, You have won my heart to again believe in South Africa, Africa and its peoples. We have the most beautiful biodiversity not only in animals, plants and micro-organisms but also in our people. May the example of your love and goodwill to all inspire us to preserve this heritage for the future of our country and mankind. I thank you with the warmest wishes for an unforgettable birthday. Vrystaat!
Elma Pretorius, from the Yeast Culture
Collection of the University of the Free State
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Tata happy birthday, you are our inspiration. I thank GOD for your life. May GOD BLESS you.
Moeketsi Ngophe
Arcadia, Pretoria, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba. You are a source of inspiration to me and many others. May you have many more birthdays and many more courageous words to this world. You will always remain in our memories for having led us from the doldrums of oppression. We are inspired by your passion for human dignity and your restoration for humanity.
Mahlatse Mashiane
Ennerdale, Gauteng, South Africa
Dear Madiba, We take pride in you as the father of our continent Africa. Because of your courage and dedication I as a Kenyan can now come and study in South Africa! God bless you as you enjoy the big birthday bash!! May you have many more!!
Njeri Luiza
Durban, South Africa
Dear Madiba, father
of our nation. Veels geluk met jou 85ste lewensjaar. Jy is verseker 'n engel wat God vir Suid Afrika, Afrika en die hele Wereld gestuur het. Dankie dat jy jou lewe daaraan toegewy het om vrede te bewerkstellig. May God bless you with Peace, Joy, Love and Good Health. Admiring mother and daughter.
Isabel and Abby Stoltz
Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa
You have become an icon for many South Africans, young and old alike. From the bottom of our hearts we wish you a super birthday and many more to come.
Beth
Fourways, Gauteng, South Africa
When Langenhoven said: "A man will occupy a job for his own advantage but will follow a mission for the advantage of his fellow human beings" he must have had you in mind. Congratulations and thank you.
Sarina Benade, Senior Magistrate, Head of District and all staff members of the Brits Magistrate's Office
Brits, Gauteng, South Africa
Mandela, you are such an
amazing man! I have so much respect for you and admire everything that you have done for our beautiful country. I only hope that we manage to continue your good work! Happy Birthday!
Sue Mackenzie
Gauteng, South Africa
Happy Birthday Mandela! We owe our freedom to strong and courageous heroes like you. I wish you only the best and many more years. This world needs you and your wisdom. We thank you for all you did for Africa and the world.
Mbono Msomi
KwaMadlala, Port Shepstone, South Africa
Never has a man inspired so many! Here's to a wonderful birthday and many more after!
Ursula
Johannesburg, South Africa
Well done Madiba! You have started the new South Africa. It's really great to live in SA today, it's constantly changing. I look up to you for being so wise and good. Happy birthday! Lots of love and happiness.
Patty, a French admirer
Cape Town, South Africa
Dear
Madiba, May Allah bless you with many more! May you continously be an inspiration to all of us.
Shahida
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Tata, you are one man close to GOD ... you stood firm on what you believe and today you are still standing. May GOD bless you and your household, move you from GLORY to GLORY all the days of your life, you have changed many lives for GOOD, Tata you deserve everything good GOD created, Happy Birthday.
Sivuyile Mbopi
Douglasdale, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dearest Madiba, May God's Love Bless you on your 85th Birthday and always. Your Love has Blessed and Inspired All the people of our Beautiful Country. With Love.
Marwan and Lynn Chalmers
Johannesburg, South Africa
Thanks for being such a 'good guy' and helping all of us believe in SA's future! Lots of love from London.
Gareth Tombleson
London, UK
Dear 'Oupa', may your birthday be
filled with the laughter and happiness you have shown us. You are South Africa and for that I salute you. God bless.
Marthie van Niekerk
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Dear Sir, God has a chosen few and you are one of them. May He grant you many years of laughter, love, happiness and above all good health to continue to inspire the world! Love and best wishes.
Damie, Ami, Aakil and Saurav Mahendranath
Risidale, Gauteng
Happy Birthday! dude, rock on.
Claudia and Monica Laganillay
Durban, South Africa
"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness" - Zambian Proverb. Your spirit is the flame of our candle. Long may it burn. Happy Birthday, Madiba, true father of our nation. In your old age, I wish you the peace that comes to those who have achieved true enlightenment and humility.
Geraldine Damant
Cape Town, South Africa
I am adding a pinch of
salt for longer time to be with you. No one wants to close this book you have been writing since you were born. Halalaa to the womb which brought you on this earth.
Xoliswa Siko
Zwide, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Hartlik geluk, Madiba. Baie dankie vir wat u vir Suid-Afrika beteken. Geniet die dag!
Philip en Daphne van Heerden
Sandbaai, Western Cape, South Africa
Madiba, you amazing man, hero of heroes! Happy Birthday my hero, my role model. Icon of Africa. May you live more years to learn from you.
Zyd Mzamo
Cape Town, South Africa
Mandela, you are a role model to many children. As one of them, I would like to wish you the happiest birthday ever. You have come so far and have helped so many people, now it's my turn to thank you for all you have done!! Have the happiest birthday and thanks for making me a proud South African.
Chantel Sirakis
Woodhill College, South
Africa
May the Lord shower his richest blessings upon you for all your dedication and commitment to South Africa as a nation.
Pranisha Jugmahan
Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy birthday Sir, enjoy it!!
Percy van Staden
Woodhill College, South Africa
On this day 85 years ago our gift from God was you! May he spare you for many more. Happy Birthday.
Ros, Terry, Tammy and Warren Giliam
Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa
Dearest Madiba, You represent everything that is good about South Africa - sunshine, smiles and scenery. My dad died when I was five and you are the only father I've ever known. May you have a glorious b'day and best wishes to you and Aunt Graca.
Mags Pillay
Lenasia, Gauteng, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, this is Thys here. Congratulations. I hope you'll enjoy it. PS thank you for pointing our country in the right
direction.
Thys Delport
Woodhill College, South Africa
Dear Nelson, You have inspired us to try and do something with our lives and you are indeed a honourable and amazing man!!! Thank you for your great leadership. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! HOPE YOUR DAY ROCKS!!
Stephanie and Roxanne
Woodhill College, South Africa
You make us proud to be South African. Happy Birthday.
The Daily News reporters
Durban, South Africa

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