Dear Mr Mandela ...
Welcome to the official Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book, page 9
Nelson Mandela turned 85 on 18 July 2003 - and you, and you, and you ... sent him 17 842 birthday messages via the official Mandela 85th Birthday website.
A selection of your messages has been published in this Book. See the box on the right for the full list of pages.
To a Statesman of Note!! Sir, may we take this opportunity to thank you for what you have done for our country and nation. The autograph you signed when I served you on King Mswati's visit is still our most prized household possession. May you and Graca be blessed with many more years for the sake of our country!! Happy Birthday.
Family van der Breggen
Hoedspruit, South Africa
"With maturity one becomes younger always" - Hermann Hesse. Best Greetings, good health, and may YOU see many returns of this day still to come!
Amano
Wudd
Munich, Germany/Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Madiba, Yem-yem, Ngqolomsila, khula wethu ungagugi, kungawe silapha nje namhlanje. Xa sicinga ngempilo yakho sithi makube hele kube chosi. Ubomi obude.
Ozma Mcithwa
Johannesburg, South Africa
A Happy Birthday wish to one of the Great Men of the World.
Chuck Elder
New York, NY, USA
God's Richest Blessings and may your courage, commitment, and character keep the light of the future South Africa forever burning.
Kevin Momberg, NNP Councillor, City of Cape Town
Atlantis, Western Cape, South Africa
Since 1994 I have been writing to this magnificent man. I have the greatest respect and honour for him and I can only wish him a healthy and happy year to come. After I have read nearly all the books about him (biographies), I feel just that much more for him. Happy birthday Sir and I hope you will be blessed abundantly. (If
only I could just hear his voice speaking my name and his hand in mine!!)
Jackie Clark
Pretoria, South Africa
Thank you for all of the wonderful things you have done for this country. Happy Birthday and I hope there are many more. Your legacy will always live on in my and in many other South Africans' hearts.
Bertus Jordaan
Mogale City, South Africa
Happeeeee Birthday to the best of the best. You are a shining example to the whole world, we love you for your honesty, your courage, your integrity, your love, and above all for being you. Have a Happy Birthday Madiba, lots of love from the Parkinsons.
Jonathan, Debbie, Oliver, Arabella and Thomas Parkinson
Saxonwold, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela. My first recollection of you is at a rally on the Esplanade in Boston about 8-10 years ago and seeing how well you kept the beat to the music. Quite a rocker for a 75 year old at the time!
And quite an inspiration to so many the world over. I had the good fortune to visit Cape Town last year, and hold that city and your country close to my heart ... a truly captivating place. May God continue to bless us with your presence for many, many more years.
Douglas C Sulzer
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
As an Ethiopian, I remember your time in my country. You are an inspiration to all humanity. Happy Birthday and may you live long in full health.
Abdul Mejid Hussein
New York, USA
Nelson Mandela: Over the years I've had my doubts, but thanks for proving me wrong. Best wishes for your 85th and I hope you have many more.
Ian R Stewart
Canada
Congratulations! I just read your book, and I really liked it! You are loved up here in Norway too!
Marit Nygaard
Oslo, Norway
Thank you for giving me so many reasons to be a proud South African and for being my
inspiration to be a better human being.
Janine
Toronto, Canada
Happy birthday Madiba, the man of great integrity, may every word that you utter and are still going to utter be blessed to touch the hearts and minds of people and change their way of living and the environment they are living in positively. May PEACE be within and around you now and forever!
Makosha Mogano
Polokwane, South Africa
Thank you for your inspiration. I wish you health and happiness!
Carl Momberg
Cape Town, South Africa
Madibes - you beauty. Happeee Happeeee birthday to a shining light in the world - if more of us were like you, the World would experience an era of peace and love - have a supremely cool day. love.
Jaypee
Gauteng
Happy birthday, Madiba. May you enjoy many more birthdays Lots of love.
The Jackson family
Kew, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy
birthday Nelson Mandela! Have a wonderful day. You give everyone around the world hope with your courage, humanity and integrity and make me especially proud to be South African.
Lala Camerer
Washington DC, USA
Congratulations on your 85th birthday. May your life be filled with peace and joy and may you enjoy many more years to inspire the world with your remarkable kindness.
Marianna van Deventer
Randburg, South Africa
Well I just want to wish a great hero many a happy birthday and wish you have many more.
Mark Compton
Gauteng, South Africa
Liewe Oom Nelson Mandela. Baie Geluk met Oom se 85ste Verjaardag. Mag dit 'n mooi jaar vorentoe wees vir Oom. Baie dankie dat Oom so 'n goeie president was. Ek hoop dat Oom se gesondheid vir nog 'n klompie jare goed sal hou. Dit lyk of Oom lief is vir almal om Oom. Baie groete.
Anton Rossouw (10 jr)
Swartrivier, Rawsonville, South
Africa
Wish you can live for ever and ever. Your existence on this planet saves many, many lives day by day.
Sello Molobeng
Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
Tata, as one of many South Africans I wish that the Almighty can give you more days on earth and the strength to make more South Africans understand what you and your organisation (ANC) mean by reconciliation. May you see many more fruitful years to come. Halala Madiba. Viva Madiba!!!
Clive Kgoro
Potchefstroom, South Africa
Thank you for everything you do for the world, and also for me. May your name live for ever. I love you always.
Eduan Olivier
Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela. You are a remarkable man. You give me courage to live my life to the fullest. We love you. I wish you long life, prosperity and many more birthdays.
Rachine Anderson
Maryland, USA
You
and my father share a birthday. The 18th of July is reserved, it would seem, for amazing men. Your contribution to the new South Africa is appreciated and revered by millions. Wishing you many happy returns and a birthday filled with fun, family and love.
Catherine Williams
Cape Town, South Africa
Best wishes Tata!!! For us you will always be the GREATEST!!!!!
Cachalia Family
Limpopo Province, South Africa
Congratulations on the occasion of your 85th birthday celebration. Your life has been one of the greatest inspirations for me. Thank you. May God grant you many more useful years on earth. Peace and love.
Omotayo Mebude
Maplewood, New Jersey, USA
I have read all 6 pages of birthday greetings - it doesn't surprise me how much you have touched and inspired so many people from all walks of life from around the world. I wish you all the best on your 85th birthday and I wish you happiness and
health for many years to come.
Anja Orthmann
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
You are a great man! Hope you have soooo much fun on your birthday!
Marlene Lawless
Alberton, South Africa
Happy Birthday to a great and wonderful human being. May God bless you and keep you healthy and strong for MANY years to come.
Marika E. Buchberger, LRPS
New York, United States of America
You are the inspiration of this universe; you give us courage and the hope of a better future for the youth of South Africa and the rest of the world. I wish you all the best on your Birthday and on behalf of the youth around the globe. O GOLE O GOLE … Tata Madiba.
Praise Maja
Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, South Africa
Dear Mr Mandela, we have only met you once, but you have touched all our lives in some way. May God bless you on your birthday and the
years to come (which we hope will be plenty!) Have a wonderful day. Lots of love.
The Budget Rent A Car team from Limpopo - Engela,
Solani, Whisky, Ephraem and Thabo
Hoedspruit, South Africa
Happy birthday, Tatomkuhlu the father of peace and democracy. Enjoy this special day
Peter Arends
Cape Town, South Africa
To the Father of our rainbow nation! I am inspired by your humility and your humanity. You are surely an example to us young people. Thanks for fighting for our democracy. Happy Birthday and may the Lord bless you in every thing you do. Love you!
Maritza Benson
Trompsburg, South Africa
Mister Mandela, one is never, never too old! You have shown the world what can be done with grace. God Bless. Jeremia 29:11 "Ek weet wat Ek vir julle beplan," sê die Here: "Voorspoed en nie teenspoed nie; Ek wil vir julle 'n toekoms gee, 'n verwagting!"
Breggie
Postma
Centurion, South Africa
Happy Birthday, dear Madiba. I wish you all the best and hope you will be around for much longer. We need more people with your ability to lead, love and forgive. My hope is that our African leaders can learn from you how to lead a country. You are a living example for all of us.
Best wishes and happy birthday again. God Bless you.
Pedro Gama
Luanda, Angola
Mister Mandela, you give the human race dignity. Please could you pray for world leaders on your birthday, sir, especially those from Africa. Happy Birthday, Madiba. May the Lord Bless you to see many more.
Pilate Dube
Staffordshire University, England
Dear Madiba, may the Almighty bless you with more. We love you and respect you. You are a symbol of love and peace to us. Happy Birthday, Mister Madiba.
David Tendo
Entebbe, Uganda
May God save your
soul forever because you were tested with different tests and passed them. You encourage all South Africans to reconcile and forgive one another. I pray for you that God may save you. Amen. God bless you. Through God you gave us life to carry on with. Thanks again.
Joel Sihle Ngubane
Pretoria, South Africa
May the Almighty richly bless you on your birthday. I am proud to have a leader of your calibre. Happy birthday, Tata Madiba
Takalani Mulalo Esther
Thohoyandou, South Africa
Happy are those who strive for peace for they shall be called sons of God. Tata, you represent God. Long life you shall have for the heavens are backing you up with everything you do; you are a written epistle. May our Lord grant you the desires of your heart and He also satisfy you with long life. Happy birthday, Tata Madiba
Lebogang Dhlamini
Soweto, South Africa
Happy birthday Mister
Mandela and thank you for everything. Your exemplary behaviour during all your life should be followed by all people. I hope to show South Africa to my son, Adrian Nelson, as soon as possible. Best regards.
Pascal
Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
Happy birthday, Tata. O gole o gole!
Bally Mantjiu-Smart
Norwich, United Kingdom
Footprints have been set; yours were meant for the century. We are grateful for your life. Glory to God.
Keke Mokautu
Northcliff, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy 85th Birthday, Madiba. God's richest blessings on this, your special day.
Mrs Jermaine and Charlotte Scheepers
Heathfield, Cape Town, South Africa
Madiba, 15 years ago I stood in Hyde Park, London celebrating your birthday; we all wondered if we would ever see you free. Today, I can happily say that thanks to you I am proud to
call myself a South African. Have a great day and may you have many more.
Tom Vorster
Kruger Park, South Africa
Ukhule Ungakhokhobi Madiba omkhulu, siyalibulela igalelo lakho kule Nkululeko. Your contribution is really appreciated.
Eleanor Xaso
Bramley, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy birthday, Tata. You are an inspiration to everyone, both young and old. I hope you will grace us with your presence for years to come. Enjoy your special day with your loved ones. You will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Happy Birthday, Madiba.
Khosi Hlongwane
Eastvale, Springs, South Africa
Well, here's to a great innings by one hell of a legend. Happy Birthday, Mister Mandela and may you have many more.
Patrick Kirkland
London, England
My grandmother turns 85 on the 25th July; you seem to be just about as spunky as she is! I
hope that you have a wonderful birthday, surrounded by love and family.
Theresa le Roux
Cape Town, South Africa
Happy 85th birthday, Tata. Wishing you many, many more hills to climb. Thank you for making South Africa and its people so strong, and keep up the good work. We love you Tata. Happy birthday.
Lizzi Thuso
Berea, South Afrcia
To Mandela: a great leader, a friend and a magnificent man. Congratulations on your birthday. May you enjoy health, friendship and happiness in the years to come. May many sunsets be filled with the music of Tchaikovsky. May you enjoy all the days of your life.
Jan en Dedora Bezuidenhout
Benoni, South Africa
Through your perseverance and faith in your cause,a wonderful country was set free. I have been there many times. I wish you the very best.
Douglas
Brussels, Belgium
Happy
birthday Tata and God bless you. We wish you all the best and enjoy your birthday
Mnisi Agnes Ntombi
Daveyton, South Africa
You're a living legend whose inspiration and legendary touch knows no bounds. You'll forever live in the hearts of everyone, just like Jesus & Mohammed!!!
Ade Adebayo
La Rochelle, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy birthday Baba, Mkhulu, Sophisho, Ngqolomsila. I am very grateful for what you have done for South Africa, and what you have strived for! I wish you for many, many more years to come. With love.
Sandisile Cindy Zinyanga
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
We are in the age of cloning. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could clone a Parliament full of
people with your integrity and immaculate personality? You have been by far the greatest leader the world has ever known. Happy Birthday Madiba.
Willie
Beaurain
Koedoeskop, South Africa
Mister Président, It is an honor for me to talk to you through this mail. You might be surprised but you are the most popular Président in Africa, and I'm very sorry that you resigned so early, but I can understand that, as a symbol of wisdom, this was the only alternative. Well that is life. Mister Président we miss you and I pray that the Lord gives you a very long life, good health and lots of felicity.
Francis Gueye
DAkar Sénégal
Dear Friend, Wishing you a wonderful 85th birthday, You are the sunshine of millions of people's lives throughout the world. May you always be blessed with peace, love and joy. With love and respect
Joy Sutton
Canada
Tata uMadiba khula ungakhokhobi. Ndithi ungakhokhobi kuba akekho ofana nawe. Amandla.
Mkululi Saki
Middledrift (Xesi), Eastern Cape, South Africa
Dear Mr
Mandela. Congratulations on your birthday! What a blessing and a milestone. My prayer is that the Lord will bless and keep you, and be gracious to you, and that He will turn His face to you and give you His peace. Amen
Jan van Rensburg
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy 85th Birthday. With love.
The Lawrence Family: Gaynor, Brandon, Cameron and Kirsten
Roodepoort, South Africa
Happy 85th Birthday. With love.
The children at Nanna's Playgroup
Krugersdorp, South Africa
Min'emnandi Bawo uMadiba.
Mfundo Ngozwana
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tata ndikunqwenelela ubomi obude uyonwabele imini yakho
Thabile Sinyamba
Centurion
Happy birthday Madiba. God's riches, grace and blessings for this happy day and beyond. Go well!
Cornelius J.Seconds and Family
Cape Town, South
Africa
You are a spiritual father to every person in South Africa. You have inspired people across the globe to embrace peace, reconciliation and forgiveness. Your courage, sacrifice and leadership has made it possible for us to look beyond skin colour and see only fellow human beings. Have a blessed year.
Cheryl Damon
Pretoria, South Africa
Dear Nelson, it is a privilege for me and my wife Tokkie to be able to wish you a happy 85th birthday. We really wish to meet you one day, just to shake your hand and thank you for what you have done for us and South Africa in the last 10 years. Happy birthday, Madiba!
Piet and Tokkie Wiid
Weltevreden Park, Roodepoort, South Africa
Tata, you are a true statesman, a living legend. Hope you see more birthdays. Happy birthday Rolihlahla.
Tatolo Phooko
Mondeor, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Mister Mandela,
I wish you a wonderful day and many more to come. May life treat you with respect, tenderness, love and fairness, the way you always treated life. "Jy's 'n Yster!!"
Jaco Le Roux
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
You are a man apart and God has blessed you with great gifts. For you to live this long only means that God has an even bigger purpose with your life. Happy Birthday Tata and, as a proud South African, I love you.
Faith Mazibuko
Pretoria, South Africa
Tata you mean the world to me. You are a source of inspiration. May God bless you with health so that you can live longer. You are the World's Greatest Peace Maker and I respect you for that. Tata may you see many more. Love you.
Makana Ndimande
Orlando, South Africa
Best wishes Tata and may you continue to live longer.
Jongikhaya Rabe
Cape Town, South Africa
Happy, happy
birthday Mister Mandela. You bring the world pride and I wish you lots of health and happiness for many more years to come.
Rob Herings
The Netherlands
I can't think of any words to describe your greatness. You're truly a God sent gift to the whole world and you have made one hell of a proud South african out of me. It is my wish that your greatness will continue to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and that it will change the world into a better place for all.
Patrick Sophaza
Gauteng, South Africa
Tata Mandela - happy birthday. May God bless you with good health and peace within. You are great.
Ria van der Voort
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba. May you have many, many more. The world is a brighter place with your light shining over us.
Rene Nel
Cape Town, South Africa
Dear Mister
Mandela, I wish you a happy birthday. Thank you for what you did for all South Africans!
All the best and good health!
Jürg Altenburger
Dear Sir, I really do admire your humility and heart of forgetting and forgiving. You are a real man because you have a real dream. All the best on your birthday and let Graca keep you young.
Alastair
Eersterust, South Africa
Dear Mister Mandela, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Have a wonderful day!
Regina Swart
Pretoria, South Africa
Wishing you many more years of happiness and health. I am proud to be a councillor in the city you call home. Happy Birthday!
Carol Milner
Ward 72, Johannesburg, South Africa
Mister Mandela, my wish for you is a very happy 85th
birthday. Your inspiration, optimism, kindness, humility and your ability to forgive, is what makes you one of the greatest men to have ever walked the earth. May the rest of your years be filled with joy, happiness and, above all, good health. It is because of you and people like you, that South Africa, Africa and the world is really alive with possibility. I am truly proud to be a South African. God Bless,
Rabia Moosa
Gauteng, South Africa
Beste Madiba, baie geluk met u geboortedag, dankie vir u wonderlike voorbeeld in alle Suid-Afrikaners se lewens. Gods rykste seën en goeie gesondheid word u toegebid. Ons is lief vir jou.
Julia Kotze
Gauteng, South Africa
You have shown us what wisdom is. May God bless us with your presence for many years to come. Happy birthday Madiba.
J Mushanguri
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tata may you stay as sweet as you are
!!!
Dineo
Soweto, South Africa
In ancient bygone days,
When Gods walked among men,
The legends spoke of giants
From times way back when.
As the 21st century dawns,
With amusement these myths are met.
Atlantis and wonderous beings
Are swiftly replaced by the 'net'.
Yet a giant moves gently amongst us,
A great being whose wisdom is stellar.
The great and the humble pay homage
To our very own Nelson Mandela.
You teach with your every action.
We've learnt struggle, wisdom and love.
They know you in the earth's farthest reaches,
Even the angels smile at you from above.
As the tributes flow in on your birthday
From presidents, kings and queens,
My voice I would add to their blessings
For a giant among ordinary beings.
Happy 85th Birthday Madiba -
I wish you love, happiness and health.
May the world hold your wisdom and peace
From the
example you gave of yourself.
Michele Roelofsen
Port Shepstone, South Africa
Happy Birthday Madiba, may God bless you and your family.
Dinky Mkhize
Orlando West Extension, South Africa
Happy Birthday Tata omkhulu, have a wonderful day. May God bless you, so that you keep on doing a very good job. This world needs more people like you. Enjoy this day
Makaba Macanda
Pretoria, South Africa
Happy birthday our President! It would be an honour to meet you one day! May God bless you!
Leon van der Merwe
Roodepoort, South Africa
Happy birthday, Nelson. May you be spared for many more good years. You are a great man.
Barbara Lewis
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dear Madiba, thank you for being a true leader of the global continent. May God bless you for many more years with good health and
wisdom.
Faan van Rensburg
Mafikeng, South Africa
"WILD WISHES" on your special Birthday ... Madiba! Vuku'zenzele - The Zoo is making a difference by educating the youth of today - Join us to celebrate your Birthday and your Vision!
The Johannesburg Zoo
Johannesburg, South Africa
Khula Tata, you are my hero. I am who I am now because of you, It doesn't matter that you could climb Mount Everest, you could never find a hero like Madiba Nngitsi kuwe mkhulu khula ukhokhobe ube ngange tintsaba telukhahlamba, umlandvo welive utakuma naphakadze ngenca yakho,timfiso tami kukubona uphilile ngekwemphilo.
Kwadi Maropeng
Nelspruit
Dearest Tata, we admire your courage and spirit, you have inspired a number of us in many ways. My three-year old twins and my 18 year old also send their warm wishes to you. Hope you have a nice day. Relax please after the parties, we still
need you. Love you lots.
Nontsikelelo Ndawonde
Umlazi, Durban, South Africa
Congratualations, Mister Mandela. You are truly a role model to all of us and a big grandfather for South Africa. May you have a wonderful and healthy new year!
Johan
Cape Town, South Africa
Mister Mandela, may you have another 85 years to spend on yourself and loved ones. Thank you, and have a great day.
Bruce Clark
Johannesburg, South Africa
May the Lord grant you more days, months, and years so that you continue spreading the gospel of Love, Respect and Trust around the world. You are my hero, father and best friend. Long Live Mandela, Long Live!!!
Tshililo, Khethani, Hulisani and Aluwani
Nengovhela
Thohoyandou, South Africa
Tata, happy birthday to you. I have learnt a lot from you. You are my real role model. May God bless
you.
Lindokuhle Mkhumane
Makhosini-Ulundi, South Africa
You have been a great inspiration. Many happy years and blessings!!
Collins Shimati
Finland
Wishing you all the Best Mister Mandela on your birthday ... You are the Best Ever.
Estelle Mofadi
Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa
I wish you many, many happy returns, Baba. You deserve the best! May God richly bless you and keep you in good health. Enjoy your day as we will also rejoice. Even though we are far away from you it would be a greet pleasure for me to see you because I only see you from a distance, on tv, newspapers etc. I always pray for you and your family. I hope that God permits that I will see you face to face. God bless you!
Mpho Shai
Soweto, South Africa
Happy birthday Baba. May God grant you another thousand years.
Mogamat Munzir
Basadien
Rand Park extension 5, Johannesburg, South Africa
Happy birthday Madiba - we all love you, and hope you have a wonderful day, and thanks for all you did for us.
Jurie Moolman
Gordon's Bay, South Africa
Happy Birthday, Mister Mandela! For me it is SUCH an honour to have you as a leader and a role model! Thank you for giving your life for this beautiful country of ours, for sacrificing so much! You are truly a hero! We love you!
Esna
Randburg, South Africa
Hi Tata. Thanks for the continued inspiration to all of us and for renewing our belief in ourselves as South Africans and as members of the human race. Through your humility we are able to take our rightful place in society. We wish you a healthy and happy life.
Peter Scheepers
Azaadville, South Africa
God bless you
Nelson.
Ngunjiri
Othaya
May you have an opportunity to reflect on how much you've done for our country, and feel happy and fulfilled.
James Westcott
Grahamstown, South Africa
Dear Mister Mandela, I am Mozambican and I am would like to say to you that you are an inspiration to all African Countries, and the most modest and honest leader of all. I wish I could have your wisdom so that I can also contribute to our African continent and the concerns that worry us all. Thank you, Mr. Mandela. I wish you a wonderful Birthday. And that God is with you all the way. Happy Birthday.
Abdul Neves
Johannesburg, South Africa
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The Nelson Mandela 85th Birthday Message Book:
