Mandela 'improving' as South Africa celebrates his 95th birthday
South Africa has been celebrating Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment.
"Madiba remains in hospital in Pretoria but his doctors have confirmed that his health is steadily improving," said a statement from President Jacob Zuma, referring to Mr Mandela by his popular clan name.
"We are proud to call this international icon our own as South Africans and wish him good health," Mr Zuma said in the statement.
He thanked South Africans for supporting Mr Mandela during his time in hospital with "undying love and compassion" and responding to a call to give the beloved figure "the biggest birthday celebration ever this year".
Mr Mandela was taken to hospital on June 8 for treatment for a recurring lung infection.
In previous announcements, the government said he was in a critical but stable condition.
Court documents filed by Mr Mandela's family earlier this month had said he was on life support and near death.
Mr Mandela is making "remarkable progress", said one of his daughters, Zindzi, after tense weeks in which some South Africans talked about the possibility that Mr Mandela was on the verge of dying.
"We look forward to having him back at home soon," the South African Press Association quoted Zindzi Mandela as saying during the government roll-out of a digital ID card system in Pretoria, the South African capital.
She was handed a replica of Mr Mandela's new ID card during the ceremony.
The day also marks the 15th wedding anniversary of Mr Mandela and Graca Machel, the former First Lady of Mozambique who has spent much of the time at her husband's side during his illness.
Schools around South Africa honoured the anti-apartheid leader in special assemblies, and many people volunteered 67 minutes for charitable activities to match what organisers said were the 67 years of public service by Mr Mandela, leader of the fight against white minority rule.
Activities were also planned at the United Nations headquarters in New York City and other parts of the world.
"We don't only recognise him on this day. We put smiles on other people's faces, we donate to other people less fortunate," Thato Williams, a 13-year-old student, said during an assembly in Mr Mandela's honour at Melpark Primary School in Johannesburg.
Some 700 students there sang Happy Birthday in a hall filled with posters created to honour Mr Mandela's contributions to peace and education.
"He's a man that ended the life of apartheid and he's a man of peace that everyone can look up to," said Ashley Kunutu, a 12-year-old pupil.
Elsewhere in South Africa, social workers, military commanders and others joined in planting trees, painting hospices, and donating food, blankets and other basic necessities in poor areas. Doctors also administered eye tests and other medical treatments to the needy.
The UN has declared July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day as a way of recognising the Nobel Peace Prize winner's contribution to reconciliation.
A procession was held in India to honour Mr Mandela.
In Washington, US congressional leaders planned a ceremony later.
Mr Mandela was jailed for 27 years under apartheid and led a difficult transition from apartheid to democracy, becoming president in all-race elections in 1994.
He served one five-year term, evolving into a global statesman and pursuing charitable causes after that. He retired from public life years ago.
