Mandela turns 90 as his nation celebrates

After weeks of celebrations, today is actually the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela. The man South African’s nickname Madiba will spend his special day at home, with his family, in the village where he was born. But he won’t be far from the thoughts of his people.

“Happy birthday, Mr Madiba,” people shouted in the streets of Johannesburg. “We love you.”

The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, says he only has one regret in life — to have missed his children and grandchildren growing up.

Mandela devoted his life to fighting white domination in South Africa through armed resistance. At his trial he said it was an ideal which he was prepared to die for. Instead he spent 27 years in prison.

Copyright © 2012 euronews