Birthday celebrations for Madiba

Nelson Mandela leant his name (and birthday) to the Mandela Day initiative four years ago. This year the international icon is turning 94. The FAIRLADY team encourages you to volunteer your 67 minutes in commemoration of this very special day and, this year, you can also wish our local hero by singing to him!

But before everyone goes all Marilyn Monroe on us, Lead SA, the Department of Basic Education and the Nelson Mandela Foundation have come up with a few ways to prevent any embarrassing solos. Last year, millions of school children and South Africans sang Happy Birthday to Madiba with the help of Lead SA, the Department of Basic Education and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. And this year, according to Lead SA’s Yusuf Abramjee, they’re going ‘even bigger’.

On 29 May thousands of people gathered in Joburg’s Nelson Mandela Square to record a version of the song for the former president. Watch the video below and learn this special version of Happy Birthday so that you can join in the celebrations on 18 July.

Be sure to keep an eye out at halftime during South Africa’s test against England this Saturday because rugby fans will record their birthday wishes for Madiba. Football fans are also pitching in by singing Happy Birthday before local matches against Manchester United on 18 and 21 July.

Let’s make South Africa and Nelson Mandela proud by telling everyone we know about this initiative. Over 67 countries have agreed to join in and sing to Madiba at 8am their local time, so let’s lead the way! Learn the song, film yourself singing it and then publish it on any social media platform!

Better start practicing:
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Madiba,
Happy Birthday to you.
 
We love you Tata,
We love you Tata,
We love you Dear Madiba,
Happy Birthday to you.