Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday was celebrated in weird and wonderful ways on Monday.
Mandela: retirement years
Despite retiring from politics, Mandela continued to have an incredibly active life; from launching his 46664 campaign to his tireless campaigning for the world's poor; he remained an icon to all. Mandela officially retired from public life in June 2004 ,before his 86th birthday, telling his compatriots: "Don't call me, I'll call you."
Millions of school children sang Happy Birthday at 8.05am, Twitter and Facebook users posted hearts and kisses, good wishes arrived from the Obama family, and his wife, Graça Machel, worked in a vegetable garden.
At the same time he enjoyed the day in the privacy of his home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape.
The day started with an estimated 12.4-million school children singing for him just after 8am, said Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
"All provinces are reporting that the national flag was hoisted, the national anthem was sung and children stood side by side in their millions and sang Happy Birthday Tata with pride," she said in a statement.
President Jacob Zuma -- who was expected to visit him in Qunu on Monday afternoon -- paid tribute to Mandela's legacy, saying children were always close to his heart.
"We have achieved a lot, but we must still work further to eradicate poverty and improve especially the lives of children, because Madiba loves them so much.
"Most importantly, we must spread love, ubuntu, humility and selflessness around us," said Zuma.
He said Mandela -- South Africa's first democratically elected president -- changed the course of history. -- The Mail & Guardian