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Nelson Mandela
Johannesburg - Former South African president Thabo Mbeki has paid tribute to Nelson Mandela as an inspiration for the work South Africa still needs to do, SABC radio news reported on Saturday.
"We must say happy birthday and wish him a long life and really he needs to continue to serve as an inspiration," said Mbeki.
"His life must serve as an example of what needs to be done."
Mbeki said work needed to be done to ensure all South Africans had a good life.
"Really what needs to be done...[is] ensuring that we continue very firmly and very steadily on the path towards a better life for the people in conditions of stability for the country, in conditions of unity for the people of South Africa."
Bigger than just a man
Anti-apartheid activist Mac Maharaj also added his voice to the birthday wishes for Mandela.
"Madiba has become bigger than a man he has become an idea," said Maharaj.
"He is telling people to find their own route but to (endorse) Madiba's ways."
Scores of people, including the revolutionary's grandson Mandla Mandela, and media have converged at the former president's home in Houghton, Johannesburg.
People around the world are celebrating the icon's service to the people by spending 67 minutes to do selfless community work.
Another close friend of Mandela, Tokyo Sexwale said this was the greatest way to celebrate Madiba's birthday, his life and legacy.
South Africans planned to spend Saturday sprucing up neglected schools, painting vandalised walls, distributing food parcels and blankets, and even reading newspapers to the elderly.
Thousands of birthday greetings were also streaming into television stations and newspaper houses.
President Jacob Zuma planned to spend time with elderly people in Ekurhuleni's Ivory Park.
- SAPA
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