You have been a great inspiration to people all over the world and have been a beacon of hope for people living under oppressive regimes. My best wishes. Ethu.

Dear Mr President, You have given us tremendous hope in this beautiful but troubled land. You have been a great inspiration to all the people in this Rainbow Nation. You make us proud to be South Africans. For this we salute you and take this opportunity to wish you a happy birthday. Many, Many happy returns of the day.

Viva Mandela! Long live the liberated South Africa! Treat your women right, and South Africa will lead the rest of the world into the millenium.

Dear Mr President It gives me great pleasure to be one of the people to be able to sent you a happy birthday message. Being a reporter, I have met you on several occasions in line of duty. Your work impresses me, and when things are not going well for me, your strength just makes me strong. Happy 80th birthday and may you see many more PS. Some think you are going to be around forever and I think that is true. Moses Mushi Journalist Farmer's Weekly

Dear Father of the Nation You are indeed a miracle sent from above. You have redefined true leadership and saved this nation from destruction. Even though we are still on that walk to freedom, we know what awaits us and as your children we have no fear. For you have prepared a path for us through the forest of oppression. I thank you for my freedom. I thank for giving me self respect. All of this you have given to me and very soon it will be your turn to receive, since it is your birthday. If i had the money i would shower you with material things, if i had the power of the almighty i would declare you a Saint. If i was a politician i would promise you the Western Cape. But since i am, what i am not any of these i can only give you thanks, thank you father, Thank you comrade, thank you President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. This message also comes from my wife, Adwina and my daughter Robin (aged 7) who is just as fanatical about you.

Dear Madiba You are no doubt the most sort after leader this world has produced. I wish to take this opportunity to congradulate you for your tireless efforts to seek peace not only for the South Africans but the entire world, and that you should continue even after retirement to foster for peace elsewhere where turmoil and injustice seem to be the order of the day. May you live for another similar period, for the world still needs your Madiba magic formular for demogracy and peace. Have the happiest b'day and the best health.

Happy birthday to you, Mandela. Reading several issues on ANC's homepage, I am very amazed and impressed. People of South Africa is very happy to have fatherly leader of you, I feel. Please accept my respect on your birthday.

Viva! You will always be with us. Happy,happy birthday.

Congratulations! You are, without doubt, the Statesman of the Centuary. A wonderful rolemodel and outstanding example to us all.

My best birthday wishes to one of the greatest souls still alive on this planet! And may you still have a long and prosperous life!

YAHOO! We love you! I was there during the winter of 1996 visiting and studying in Cape Town and Guguletu. I'm coming back! Lou Ann Happy Birthday!

You are an inspiration - thank you and congratulations

I pray that our fight will not end with our deaths. Thank you for keeping the revolution alive. I hope we will meet someday; in this world or the next

Happy Birthday Mr.Mandela. Your life and work inspires all who desire goodness and justice. Thank you for your inspiration.

Dear President Mandela As a card-carrying member of the African National Congress, it was an honour to have you as President of our organisation. This position has now been filled by Comrade Thabo Mbeki. Having joined the struggle at a very early age, I will continue serving the organisation that brough about the liberation of our people. As you celebrate your 80th Birthday, Me and my family would like to wish you everything of the best for the future. When you retire as President of the country and settledown in the remote Qunu village, in the Transkei, we wish you God speed. Happy Birthday Madiba!!!

To the greatest leader this centuary. M r Mandela you have dedicated your life, your time .and even your beloved family to the struggle not only for the people of South Africa but the whole Africa. You have shown the quality of leadership of a true son of Africa without reservation, you have demontrated sauch qualities by deciding to ceremoneously living office without duress, that aspect of leadership has rung the bell on many African leaders I hope. It has acted as an inspiration to the likes of Masire of Botswana and I do wish many will follow suite. May countless years of good health pile upon you and live to see your geat country prosper in the during the dawning and most challenging mellennium, and may you successor emulate you in his capacity as the leader of the great sub-Sahara county and may the entire region of southern africa benefit from the impressive political management you and your countrymen have been an icon of to delight of the civilised world. Long live comrade Mandela. and long live the people of southern africa. Thanx Zachs Ssthaiso from Botswana

I wish you, Madiba, all the best on your 80th b'day. May the days and nights shine uppon you and all the people of South Africa. YOU ARE THE BEST...YOU ARE THE GREATEST!! God bless you!

Wishing you a very, very happy birthday and many, many more. I quote Comrade Thabo Mbeki, We thank you for who you are, what you are and what you have done. Long live Comrade Madiba, Long live! Amandla Ngawethu! All Power to the People!

Wishing a very happy birthday to a great revolutionary! Your are a great role model to all members of the ANC, SACP & COSATU. Keep up the great work. Viva Comrade Madiba, Viva!

Thank you for freeing millions of people, from oppression, indignities, and otracoties

Thank you for turning a great country around and for being an inspiration to us all.

Happy 80th Birthday Mr.Mandela. I'm currently doing a grade 12 Global History on your life. You are a true Freedom Fighter. I do believe that everyone is equal and should be treated equal.

I am studying your country. You are doing a great job leading it. Happy birthday! best wishes! -Steve

Thank you for showing humanity its fullest potential; that which we should aspire to be; that which is the very, very best in us. Thank you for your courage, your honour and your grace. Happy Birthday, Madiba, and many, many more.

Dear Madiba Happy Birthday to the most potent symbol of freedom on earth.

Happy birth day to you Dr. Mandela. You are the true symbol of freedom fight throughout the Globe. Long Live Mandela

Dear Madiba 'There comes over me some days an urge, abundant, political, an impulse to kiss passion itself on both cheeks' (Cesar Vallejo) You are that inspiration... Happy Birthday Madiba and God Bless

President Madiba, Happy Birthday. All the time that you were on the Island I kept a poster put out by IDAF above my bed. It served as tremendous inspiration to me especially when I was restricted and could not return to this country. when the ANC was unbanned we were so excited. When you were released we were even more excited. When I had the honour of meeting you in Toronto in June 1990 and again in Pietermaritzburg and in the Eastern Cape I was so proud and humbled to shake your hand. God be with you in your eighties. Long Live Nelson Mandela Long Live!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MADIBA

President Mandela: Happy Birthday! I had the pleasure of hearing you speak during your visit to Howard University in 1994, and I subsequently visited your lovely country. Thank you for your courage, foresight, and dedication to justice.

Mr Mandela, I first met you at Wembley Stadium in 1990. You were an inspiration then as you are now as you will be tomorrow. A job well done and a very happy birthday.