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| Mandela at 90 makes call for poor | Mandela at 90 makes call for poor |
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| Nelson Mandela, the man credited with ending apartheid in South Africa, has marked his 90th birthday by calling for the rich to do more for the poor. | Nelson Mandela, the man credited with ending apartheid in South Africa, has marked his 90th birthday by calling for the rich to do more for the poor. |
| "If you are poor, you are not likely to live long," he said at his village house in Eastern Cape province for a birthday interview. | "If you are poor, you are not likely to live long," he said at his village house in Eastern Cape province for a birthday interview. |
| He is expected to spend the day at home with his family. | He is expected to spend the day at home with his family. |
| His predecessor as president, FW de Klerk, described him as one of the greatest figures of the last century. | His predecessor as president, FW de Klerk, described him as one of the greatest figures of the last century. |
| Mr Mandela was jailed for 27 years for his part in the ANC campaign against white minority rule but went on to become the country's first black president in 1994. | Mr Mandela was jailed for 27 years for his part in the ANC campaign against white minority rule but went on to become the country's first black president in 1994. |
| Since stepping down in 1999, he has become South Africa's highest-profile ambassador, campaigning against HIV/Aids and helping to secure his country's right to host the 2010 football World Cup. | Since stepping down in 1999, he has become South Africa's highest-profile ambassador, campaigning against HIV/Aids and helping to secure his country's right to host the 2010 football World Cup. |
| Nelson Mandela used his personal charm... to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation FW de Klerkformer South African president Key figures in Mandela's lifeWorld leaders' tributesYour stories: Meeting Mandela | Nelson Mandela used his personal charm... to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation FW de Klerkformer South African president Key figures in Mandela's lifeWorld leaders' tributesYour stories: Meeting Mandela |
| In 2004, at the age of 85, Mr Mandela retired from public life to spend more time with his family and friends and engage in "quiet reflection". | In 2004, at the age of 85, Mr Mandela retired from public life to spend more time with his family and friends and engage in "quiet reflection". |
| On Friday, he appeared before reporters to say: "There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate who have not been able to conquer poverty". | On Friday, he appeared before reporters to say: "There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate who have not been able to conquer poverty". |
| The fight against poverty is one of the causes taken up by Mr Mandela, the BBC's Peter Biles reports from Johannesburg. | The fight against poverty is one of the causes taken up by Mr Mandela, the BBC's Peter Biles reports from Johannesburg. |
| Three years ago, the former president attended a huge rally in London as part of the Make Poverty History campaign. | Three years ago, the former president attended a huge rally in London as part of the Make Poverty History campaign. |
| Party mood | Party mood |
| Mr de Klerk, who was awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize along with Mr Mandela, said the former president was a born leader with the "assurance, the humility and the grace of a true natural aristocrat". | Mr de Klerk, who was awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize along with Mr Mandela, said the former president was a born leader with the "assurance, the humility and the grace of a true natural aristocrat". |
| LANDMARKS 1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape1964 - Sentenced to life for high treason1990 - Freed from prison1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize1994 - Elected first black president2004 - Retires from public life2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness Mandela's life and timesAudio slideshow: Mandela's lifeMandela: A nation's icon | LANDMARKS 1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape1964 - Sentenced to life for high treason1990 - Freed from prison1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize1994 - Elected first black president2004 - Retires from public life2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness Mandela's life and timesAudio slideshow: Mandela's lifeMandela: A nation's icon |
| As president, he added, Mr Mandela had "used his personal charm to... mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation". | As president, he added, Mr Mandela had "used his personal charm to... mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation". |
| Friday also marks 10 years since Mr Mandela married his third wife, Graca Machel. | Friday also marks 10 years since Mr Mandela married his third wife, Graca Machel. |
| "He is simply a wonderful husband... and we enjoy every single day as if it is the last day," she told CNN. | "He is simply a wonderful husband... and we enjoy every single day as if it is the last day," she told CNN. |
| The official birthday party is due to be held on Saturday in a gigantic white marquee erected in Qunu village. | The official birthday party is due to be held on Saturday in a gigantic white marquee erected in Qunu village. |
| Three cows are to be slaughtered for the festivities, with the banquet menu featuring traditional food such as tripe and sheep's heads, AFP news agency reports. | Three cows are to be slaughtered for the festivities, with the banquet menu featuring traditional food such as tripe and sheep's heads, AFP news agency reports. |
| Birthday celebrations abroad have been going on for several weeks, including a concert in June in London's Hyde Park. | Birthday celebrations abroad have been going on for several weeks, including a concert in June in London's Hyde Park. |
| In other birthday events, reported by the South African Press Association: | In other birthday events, reported by the South African Press Association: |
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| 'True icon' | 'True icon' |
| Many of those who have worked with Nelson Mandela and had a close friendship with him over the years say that behind the adulation he inspires there is a very human and often extremely private figure, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports. | Many of those who have worked with Nelson Mandela and had a close friendship with him over the years say that behind the adulation he inspires there is a very human and often extremely private figure, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports. |
| Three generations reflect on Mandela | Three generations reflect on Mandela |
| Fellow Robben Island prisoner Mac Maharaj told our correspondent Mr Mandela was truly an icon. | Fellow Robben Island prisoner Mac Maharaj told our correspondent Mr Mandela was truly an icon. |
| He reduced a veteran white police officer to tears on his inauguration day when he walked over to him, shook his hand and told him "today you have become our police". | He reduced a veteran white police officer to tears on his inauguration day when he walked over to him, shook his hand and told him "today you have become our police". |
| But Mr Maharaj argues that the event that sheds most light on Nelson Mandela's character was the killing of the popular ANC leader Chris Hani in 1993. | But Mr Maharaj argues that the event that sheds most light on Nelson Mandela's character was the killing of the popular ANC leader Chris Hani in 1993. |
| Mr Maharaj believes that if Nelson Mandela had called for an insurrection in response it would have been unstoppable but, instead, he went on television to call for calm and commitment to democracy. | Mr Maharaj believes that if Nelson Mandela had called for an insurrection in response it would have been unstoppable but, instead, he went on television to call for calm and commitment to democracy. |
| What are your views on Nelson Mandela's political career? Did you ever meet him? Are you celebrating his birthday? Send us your views and experiences using the form below: | What are your views on Nelson Mandela's political career? Did you ever meet him? Are you celebrating his birthday? Send us your views and experiences using the form below: |