July 18 is the 95th birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela, who has been hospitalized with a lung infection for more than five weeks. In honor of the anti-apartheid leader's legacy, the United Nations has designated July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day. Supporters in South Africa and around the world have been sending Mandela their birthday greetings and wishes for his fast recovery.
South Africans Send Birthday Messages To Ailing Mandela
![Well-wishers write messages of support outside the hospital in Pretoria where Mandela is being treated.](https://gdb.rferl.org/601579e0-d06e-4d25-857f-2fda1dc7e436_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Well-wishers write messages of support outside the hospital in Pretoria where Mandela is being treated.
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![](https://gdb.rferl.org/380e87aa-b9d9-4851-86d1-dbfcb6429429_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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![A well-wisher prays in front of the hospital.](https://gdb.rferl.org/09b6cdc2-c244-438a-9876-0c7bdbd5eede_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A well-wisher prays in front of the hospital.
![Children sing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela.](https://gdb.rferl.org/06d7a6ac-74c7-4880-9c1e-5e03b23df7fc_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Children sing "Happy Birthday" to Mandela.
![A young member of the Maitibolo Cultural Troupe poses in front of a picture of Mandela.](https://gdb.rferl.org/1c4a1390-5557-4a78-ba7c-37195e162579_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A young member of the Maitibolo Cultural Troupe poses in front of a picture of Mandela.