And the former South African president and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela turns ninety years old today. On Thursday, tributes poured in from across South Africa.

Unidentified Woman: “My wish would be that you could live forever and that future leaders could be just like you. Well done. And keep fit, and keep healthy, and keep
smiling, and keep us all motivated. You’re a great person, a great president, and we love you.”

Unidentified Woman: “Happy birthday to Mr. Madiba.”

Unidentified Woman: “Happy birthday, Daddy.”

Unidentified Woman: “We love you.”

Unidentified Woman: “Happy birthday, Mandela. We love you.”

Douglas Gwili: “The message that I’m sending is: happy birthday, Mandela. Grow old, but bend back.”

Ashief: “Happy birthday, Tata. I hope you see a hundred years. It would be nice for this country. And we wish to thank you for what you did for this country.”

Mpho Simelane: “I’m who I am today because of Madiba. Thank you.”

Barbara: “He must enjoy his birthday and have many more years, OK.”

Gail: “Well, I’d just like to wish him all the luck and happiness and hope he lives another ten years, twenty years. He’s a great man. That’s all I can say, really.”

Mandela is celebrating with a private party in his home village of Qunu.