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A global birthday celebration
It's Mandela's 89th and he's co-launching a humanitarian campaign.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published July 17, 2007
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Nelson Mandela celebrates his 89th birthday Wednesday, launching a humanitarian campaign along with former President Jimmy Carter, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other "elders" of the global village. The initiative stems from an idea by British entrepreneur Richard Branson and musician Peter Gabriel to create a world council to tackle issues such as conflict, AIDS and global warming. "This group of international leaders will share how they intend to work together to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity in addressing some of the world's toughest problems," organizers said in a statement. Branson and Gabriel, who founded an international human rights organization and championed the anti-apartheid cause, were expected to attend Wednesday's event, part of a week of festivities for Mandela's birthday. A children's party that has become an annual fixture wraps things up July 24. Before that, events will feature Bill Clinton and soccer legend Pele, who will play in a special star-studded match to honor Mandela. Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against apartheid. He was released in 1990 to lead negotiations to end decades of racist white rule and elected president in South Africa's first free elections in 1994. He left office in 1999, but has continued to take a leading role in the fight against poverty, illiteracy and AIDS in Africa. Clinton will open an exhibit on Thursday that focuses on the late Chief Albert Luthuli, an antiapartheid campaigner who won the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize, and Mandela, who was given the honor in 1993. Luthuli was the leader of the now-governing African National Congress when the group embarked on armed struggle against the apartheid regime. Mandela was the ANC's leader three decades later as it negotiated a peace settlement with the nationalist government. On Sunday, Annan will deliver the annual Nelson Mandela Lecture. The first in the series was given by Clinton on July 19, 2003.
[Last modified July 17, 2007, 00:59:17]
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