Mr. Madiba - News as of 18/07/2013

News as of 18-07-2013

The day that the nation has been waiting for, Former President Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday.
Just something small from me: happy birthday Madiba, Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Madiba, Happy birthday to you. Hope you have many more, and that you were spoiled rotten today. Hip Hip.... HOOORAY!!!!
What an absolutely awesome day filled with love, support and lots of excitement.
Just before starting my story; some people make an God of Mandela, I idolise him, I respect him as well as his strength, but I know who my real God is. I received all these messages today saying: why not give 67 minutes to God. God should not only have 67 minutes dedicated to him, he should have all you're time dedicated to him, and he should be apart of every little thing you do. He should be apart of every decision you make. So please people, I am sure the majority of the people knows who to believe in, and in who's hands to place their fate, now off that subject and on to my story.
I would really also still like to visit the Mandela's family museum, however my fiancée does not want to go with me and I am to scared to go alone. I would really like to see the house himself as well as his family lived in. I think I need to make a point to visiting these places, including the apartheid museum as well as the Mandela museum as it is all part of where and how South Africa came to where it is today. It is really sad though that South Africa has come to be such and dangerous place, that me as a woman alone are too scared to go on my own.
I really really really want to visit Roben Island and I will make a point of doing that, I am aiming to take a trip down to Cape town next year maybe I can make some of my hopes a reality - that is if the finances are available!
Anyway, enough about me and my dreams and hopes, today had LOTS of activity outside the hospital where Madiba is still critical but stable, with his health steadily improving according to doctors.
Jacob Zuma encouraged all of South Africa to give something or do something good today. '
Some of the days happenings:
1. Dominican School for Deaf Children did story telling to pre-school learners.
2. People held hands and had a prayer meeting from Mr. Madiba from Gugulethu.
3. Learners from Grade R-12 at Fields College in Rustenburg  collected bags for Hospice and shaped them into Madiba’s age!
4. Members of the Muslim community wish Madiba well outside Athlone Stadium
5. Little House Montessori Pre-school in Parkhurst celebrated Mandela day by the children making a handprint rainbow! Happy birthday Madiba!
6. Radio & TV Presenter Elma Smit was giving a helping hand at the Holy Cross Day Care Centre in Soweto with the 5FM team.
7. Speaking of the 5fm team, DJ Fresh helped to paint at the Holy Cross Day Care centre with the rest of his team in Soweto.
I am sure there were many more good deeds performed, however if I should continue mentioning them all I will be sitting her for quite a while so back to the news.
These were the exact words of Madibas ex Winnie Mandela, when she had an interview with Radio 702: "There are prophets of doom who say the country will come to a standstill... but I want to reassure [the country] today, on this very special day... to the nation and the entire caring world, it will continue as it has always done." "The country will solidify and come together and carry on." Trust me when saying that I am one of the sceptic people about what really will happen if Madiba should pass away, however, no one can determine that, once again we can just hope and pray for peace.
Wow Graça Machel and Mr. Madiba also celebrated their 15th anniversary today, Graça is a good wife and a very strong woman, she barely ever left Madiba's bedside.
At their wedding on 18 July 1998, archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu said Machel had "made a decent man out of" Mandela she is also fluent in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and her native Tsonga.
In 2010 Time magazine named her among the world's 100 most influential people - now that is one remarkable woman.
School children sang happy birthday to Madiba outside the hospital.
People from all ages, races, and sizes sang, danced and prayed, you could see balloons everywhere. There are so many news I really think that I will be typing for the rest of my life.
According to Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Madiba is very responsive, he opens his eyes and nods as if to say he is still here.
A military brass band also played the national anthem three times outside the hospital.
His daughter Zindzi Mandela-Motlhajwa  often tease Mr. Madiba, saying: 'our father who art in Houghton'. We would like to have him there [in Houghton], not in hospital."
Nurses across the country wished former president Nelson Mandela a speedy recovery, "We wish him more strength to recover and be with his family soon," said Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA spokesperson Sibongiseni Delihlazo.
Our own SA swimmers also wished Mandela a happy birthday. It just amazes me more and more every day what a remarkable person this man is, as well as what a strong influence he really has on the world.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter wrote to Mandela to wish him a happy birthday and Premier League club Manchester City will play a game Thursday in his honour.
The Bafana players will hand out food, toys, clothing and tools to HIV/Aids orphans at the SOS Children’s Village in Kitwe.
A group of nurses from a nearby hospital came to sing "Nelson Mandela, there is no one like you", before reporting for duty.
A minibus of people aged between 50 and 70 came from Thembisa to drop off birthday cards and flowers at a wall of well-wishes outside the hospital.
A 6-year-old boy clutching a container told a reporter: "I brought cake for Mandela for his birthday." - A shame, that is so sweet.
"Tell me the truth: when you were walking down the road that last time didn't you hate them," Clinton said he questioned Mandela.
"He said briefly: 'I did. I am old enough to tell the truth.' He said: 'I felt hatred and fear but I said to myself, if you hate them when you get in that car you will still be their prisoner. I wanted to be free and so I let it go.'
"He said: 'People can take everything from you. I lost my family, the chance to see my children grow up, the best years of my life. They can take everything except your mind and your heart...those things I decided not to give away. He looked at me and smiled and said: neither should you.
That is a lesson that every human being on earth had better learn sooner or later. The grace of it embraces every friend that he had."
The Proteas made their contribution towards Nelson Mandela Day, when they hosted a coaching clinic for 67 minutes with a group of Under-17 cricketers in Colombo on Thursday.
The Boks also paid tribute to Mr. Madiba by visiting a school.
South Africa's ambassador to Italy Nomatemba Tambo attended an exhibition organized by an anti-racism centre
The Eiffel Tower in Paris was floodlit in the colours of the South African flag

Mr. Madiba - News as of 17/07/2013

News as of 17/07/2013
I just saw a poll running with the question: is it okay to criticise former president nelson Mandela, and to my shock 61% of the people - 11668 people said yes, 7% of the people - 1334 people said no and 32% of the people - 6003 people said maybe. In my personal opinion it is never ever ever ever okay to criticise or judge any one person on this earth. We as humans were not placed here to judge and criticise, however some people really think that they can just do and say what ever they want, when and where ever they want. The irony of this whole story is if you have a look at those people judging and criticising they themselves has got some personal issue not with any one other than themselves, and usually the people pointing fingers are the ones who has the most dust swept swept under their carpets, the most skeletons in their closets. In my opinion once again, if you ain't got nothing nice to say then just don't say anything at all. It is always so easy to say mean things, and be cruel. Ever stopped and thought about maybe try being lovable and positive? People are animals - I have decided! An AbaThembu royal council representative paid a visit to the hospital today. Mandela's daughter Makaziwe Mandela, Graça Machel and grand-daughter Ndileka Mandela were at the private facility for their regular visit on Wednesday. The activity outside of the hospital is quite today - I think everyone is preparing something special for Mr. Madiba's birthday. His daughter said while visiting Madiba he was watching TV, and he gave them a very big smile and held up his hand - so his condition is most definitely improving, he is also gaining more energy and strength and to think approximately two weeks ago doctors wanted to put of his life support machines. Thank God his family fought for him. President Jacob Zuma will mark the birthday by overseeing the donation of houses to poor white families in the Pretoria area, in line with his Cabinet's theme to commemorate Mandela's birthday this year by focusing on food security, shelter and literacy. In Cape Town, labour activists are holding an event at St George's Cathedral on Thursday, in remembrance of Mandela's years of service and to encourage people to donate food to charity while leaving messages of support for the former leader's family. I think it is all the prayers an support not only from his family, but from people all over the world that has brought hims this far.

Mr. Madiba - News as of 16/07/2013

News as of 16/07/2013

The Cape Town civic centre will now be open on weekends and public holidays to allow more people to view the Nelson Mandela exhibition. "One thing we can be entirely certain about is that Madiba continues to inspire, he continues to unite, he continues to symbolise the hope we all have for our wonderful and special country." Can you believe, while Mr. Madiba is sick in hospital some people still has the nerve to criticise him.Really? Grow some balls, build a bridge, get over it! Today a group of senior citizens from Mamelodi came to the hospital to pay their respects to Mr. Madiba. They even sang songs. Tiger woods who recently won the US masters can still recall his first meeting with Mr. Madiba and according to him it was something out of this world. Tiger Woods and his father was invited to Mr. Madiba's house and in his own words :it still gives me chills". According to Tiger Woods, when he and his dad walked in to the room, it was a complete different atmosphere. And on a alst note: Defending British Open champion and South African sporting legend Ernie Els, also paid tribute to Mandela at Muirfield and said it would be "wonderful" if a South African player could win this week and give his sports-mad nation a much-needed morale boost. "Obviously sport has been a key factor in bringing South Africa together into a democratic place and state," Els said on Monday. "And President Mandela played such a big part in that also back in the early '90s, and the World Cup and soccer, African Nations Cup."

Mr. Madiba - News as of 15/07/2013

News as of 15/07/2013

Mr. Madiba is still critical but stable in the Pretoria hospital, and is also still responding very well to the treatment! I really am glad, this man is a Strong man, a fighter. Not only for All of the world, but for himself and his own health as well. Colin Mgodeli prayed for Madiba in front of the hospital. A young boy and girl along with their father went to visit the hospital, and the boy wrote a message on the wall for Mr. Madiba. Its quite amazing how many people, young and old alike looks up to this man. Members of Maitibolo Cultural Troupe also performed outside the hospital in respects of Madiba. Members of the Toronto Children's Chorus from Canada, also took the time to pay respects to the idol we all know and love. Worshippers from the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ also prayed for Madiba. Volunteers from cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer also made a giant portrait of Madiba in a Johannesburg shopping mall - all made out of cupcakes. It is really remarkable to see to what lengths people will go to, to pay their respects. Mandela's daughter Makaziwe Mandela also paid him a visit. Grade 4 pupils from the St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls in Pretoria also paid a visit to Madiba. They had a big card and everyone wrote their own personal message. Some of the messages:
You taught South Africa that you can live in a village, but you never know what leads your way. If it wasn't for you, I would not be able to be in my school.
Thank you for your sacrifices. I will want you to take this message and know that is never the end, get well soon

Mr. Madiba - News as of 14/07/2013

News as of 14/07/2013

Former President Thabo Mbeki states that Mr. Madiba my be discharged soon, however, on the other side I heard a rumour that he is fully dependant on life support machines and is only being kept alive till after his birthday. I just wish people will come out with one story and stick with it. Multiple versions just causes confusion. The support outside the hospital is still quite remarkable. Balloons and flower were everywhere to be seen. The messages just gets more and more each and every day. People see that Mr. Madiba ain't about to give up yet and therefore they wont give up either. Mr. Madiba has taught the world a lot of things, like: 1. how important education is. 2. children are the most important part of the world. 3. to live together in peace and the list goes on and on. Some notes found outside the hospital:
1. "You have taught the world the greatest gift... that it doesn't matter what colour I am."
2."Tata, you are our hero and we will honour your legacy by living a proud [life] of our own."
3. "We honour the sacrifice you have made for us. Every day we will do our best to make our lives worthy of your sacrifice."

Mr. Madiba - News as of 13/07/2013

 13/07/2013
Today does not hold much news regarding Mr. Madiba, exept for one Idiot (Julius Malema) who reckons that Madiba should be treated at at Chris Hani Baragwanath to show confidence in the public health system. Really? This guy really only has a brain the size of a peanut.... or smaller! Two Soweto girls, one aged twelve and one aged thirteen paid tribute to Mandela in a very challenging way, and very brave if i may add. They walked to Soweto, they started walking at 06h00 and arrived at the hospital just after 20h00. Now that is a very long way to walk, and i can only imagine what it took of them. There were times when they got tired, but they never gave up. Very inspiring. When they reached the hospital they had dinner, and held a prayer service for Mr. Madiba. They wanted to camp outside the hospital till the next morning, however, they were approached by a security guard who offered them a place to sleep inside the hospital on the first floor. They were given blankets and coffee, now i think that was really a good gesture, See there are still humanity out there, people that care. Madiba is still responding to the treatment, and still critical but stable.

Mr. Madiba - News as of 12/07/2013

News as of 12/07/2013

Madiba is still critical but stable. President Zuma praised Anti - apartheid heroes. "We salute all the heroes and heroines of our revolution who were willing to pay the ultimate price for our freedom," he said. Vincent Kompany feels privileged to be in South Africa for Mr. Madibas 95th birthday celebration. School choirs also performed in front of the hospital today just as an attempt to pay their respects said Johan Bezuidenhout, head master of Leeuwenhof academy, the Bedfordview school brought 370 pupils in 6 buses to the hospital. The effort is quite remarkable. I take my hat of to you for the effort. A high School choir from Hyattsville, Maryland, US are currently in South Africa to participate in the Ihlombe South African Choral Festival, they were nice enough to make the time to come and perform in front of the Pretoria hospital where Mr. Madiba is currently being treated, they sang a variety of songs including Shosholoza as well as the South African National anthem. For another country to take the time out of their busy schedules and learn songs as well as sing song specially for Mr. Madiba, once again shows what a true legend as well as idol the man is. It is quite amazing how much people look up to him as well as admires him, not only for what he has done, but also for the person that he is. Members of Denosa lit candles and also prayed outside the hospital for Mr. Madiba. The movie Long walk to freedom is also set to be released on the 6th of December. Graça Machel also said that she is less anxious about the condition of her husband as he is responding positively to the treatment being given. This man is a remarkable fighter, he just NEVER gives up.