67

This figure represents the number of years that Madiba has devoted to human rights work - that equates to 72.8% of his lifetime. The first 25 years of his life were spent preparing him for a calling that would see him put his commitment to the struggle for equality before his family.

As a fitting tribute to mark his 92nd birthday, the British Museum is hosting a series of events to mark Nelson Mandela day. As part of the festivities, the museum is asking visitors to donate 67 minutes of their time to charitable causes.

His legacy to South Africa, Africa and the world was his ability to maintain his humanity amidst unremitting inhumanity and I'm sure he would appreciate the symbolism of time as a charitable donation.

HAPPY 92ND BIRTHDAY MADIBA!!

He was happy to see us, we were HAPPIER to see him

Whether or not the rumours surrounding his appearance are true, it gladdened my heart to see Madiba beaming his megawatt smile to the full house in Soccer City, Johannesburg and the billions watching on television screens throughout the continent and the rest of the world. As usual, his cameo left us wanting more, but it would have been a travesty for him to have witnessed the skulduggery perpertrated by the Oranje as they sought to disrupt the rhythm of the more technically accomplished La Roja. Thankfully the swift justice that has been meted out during this most historic of World Cups, when moral authority and integrity have been compromised, did not shirk from duty last night and the team that tried/wanted to play football emerged victorious.

Felicitaciones La Roja!! Felicitaciones Campeónes!!

We remember your role in the struggle

Dear Winnie Madizikela-Mandela

As I feel the role you played in the struggle against apartheid has been downplayed (in the eyes of the western media), I've decided to redress the balance.

What is not widely known is how you kept Madiba's name alive throughout his imprisonment, at an enormous personal cost to yourself and your daughters. I'm not sure what you thought of Sophie Okonedo's depiction of you in Mrs. Mandela - I thought she did a remarkable job of conveying the harassment you were subjected to. I read your biography and I was struck by what your dedication to the struggle meant in sacrificial terms. I know you survived solitary confinement interspersed with interrogation sessions and a banning order, which undoubtedly left its mark - there's a scene in Mrs Mandela where Sophie Okonedo accurately portrays the inevitable transformation that took place.

Your courage, dedication, determination and sacrifice makes you a heroine in anyone's language. I do hope you've found the happiness you deserve and that you are at peace with yourself.

Yours in admiration.

Amandhla!

Triumph marred by Tragedy

And so on a day that should have been about the world coming together to revel in the triumph of South Africa's big coming out party, tragedy has once again stalked the person most responsible for the World Cup being held in South Africa.

Today the sun will burn a little less brightly as we mark the passing of someone who died far too young.

However the show, as they say, must go on and I'm sure all South Africans will take pride in what their country has achieved. Likewise, I'm sure the rest of the African continent will bask in the glow of this real life feel good story. Not forgetting the rest of the world, but today belongs to the people of Africa.

Sending out an SOS to Madiba

Dearest Madiba

I know that preparations for the celebration of your 90th birthday are at an advanced stage so I am hoping that you will find time in your hectic schedule to give your contemporary a call. I know you're in semi-retirement, but it seems that you are the only person with the moral authority to call Robert Mugabe out. I know that you will do it in an eloquent, understated way so as not to bruise his delicate ego.

In Africa, there is a misconception that age brings wisdom - in Mugabe's case that is patently not true. He has shown a complete disregard for world opinion and no current African leader has the necessary stature to be listened to by Mr. Mugabe. Your successor has made some half-baked attempts, but his "leadership" (I use the term very loosely) as chief mediator in SADC efforts to bring about a resolution to the crisis in Zimbabwe is highly suspect.

Yours

A morally outraged African