JOHANNESBURG: Former South African president Nelson Mandela will spend his 95th birthday in hospital today, but was said to be making “remarkable” progress.
As admirers around the world prepared to honour his legacy through a tidal wave of charitable acts, Mandela’s youngest daughter said her father was now able to communicate and watch television.
“He is making remarkable progress,” Zindzi told Britain’s Sky News. “He responds very well... with his eyes, and he nods and sometimes he lifts his hand like to shake your hand.”
After six often fraught weeks in hospital, that was welcome news to the many South Africans planning to mark his 95 years.
Children in schools around the country will kick off the day by singing “Happy Birthday” to the former statesman, who also marks 15 years since he married his third wife Graca Machel.
REUTERS
