Message from ANC President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of the 90th birthday of Tata Nelson Mandela

Aah Zwelibanzi, ikumkani yabaThembu,
Aah Dalibhunga,Tata uRholihlahla Mandela,
Aah Zwelivelile Mandela,
The Mandela Family,
President of the Republic, Thabo Mbeki,
Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka,
ISilo Samabandla Onke, King Zwelithini Zulu,
Iinkosi neeNkosana zabaThembu ezikhoyo,
Ezinye iinkosi, eziqhamuka kweliphondo, nakwamanye amaphondo,
President (KK) Kenneth Kaunda,
Comrades and Friends,
Distinguished Guests,

We are gathered here today to celebrate a life and legacy of a father, grandfather, comrade, warrior, soldier, nation builder and statesman.

We are celebrating the life of man who became a symbol and embodiment of hope for African people in particular, and the African National Congress in general - a symbol of sacrifice, unity and of liberation.

Tat' uMadiba, during your incarceration on Robben Island for almost 30 years, the oppressed toiling masses of the people lived in hope that through your sacrifice one-day liberation will come. You are the glue that holds us together as a nation. You provide eternal hope in our people and the world, that South Africa can only be a better place each day.

Your legacy always reminds us, as leaders of the people, of our responsibilities to always lead by the will of people, respect the people, defend democracy and never discriminate against other people, no matter how unimportant we may think they are. For our part, we will remain conduits of your legacy, firmly grounded in our commitment never to disappoint you.

Amazwi owawathethayo ngexesha le Rivonia Trial asasivuselela nangoku xa usithi:

"Ubomi bam bonke bendisoloko ndizinikezele ukuzabalazela abantu base Afrika. Ndiye ndalwa ukucinezelwa ngabamhlophe, ndaphinde ndalwa ukucinezelwa ngabamnyama.

Umnqweno wam ngowokuba sakhe isizwe esikhululekileyo apho uluntu luhlalisana ngemvisiswano, abantu baxhamle amathuba ngokulinganayo. Umbono endizimisele ukuwuphilela nokuwuzuza, kodwa ukuba kuyimfuneko, ngumbono endizimisele ukuwufela".

In other words: "During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die".

To the entire Mandela Family, your father, grandfather and great grandfather gave his life to the nation and the world. We thank you for allowing him to be umkhululi wabantu, igorha leSizwe.

We also celebrate your wedding anniversary to Graca Machel, Tata, and congratulate you on a relationship and love that has kept you strong and comforted.

On behalf of the ANC, ithemba lamahlwempu, we join millions of peoples of the world, in a song,"Lizalise Idinga Lakho Thixo Nkosi Yenyaniso" as we say, "Yanga Usombawo Angakunika Imihla Emide Yokuphila Ubom".

Happy Birthday Tata! Ukhule Njalo!

Thank you