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South Africa Celebrates Nelson Mandela's 87th Birthday
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(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=E3C610:3919ACA

Focus on political and social legacies that still impact all of Africa





Nelson Mandela (File photo)Organizers of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
are hosting lectures, a virtual gallery, a rugby match and an
exhibition of all the gifts and awards Mr. Mandela has received over
the years.

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton will give a speech at Mr. Mandela's
birthday celebration Monday.

Mr. Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994 after
serving 27 years in jail as a political prisoner. The frail Nobel
laureate retired from public life in 2004 but still rallies tens of
thousands of people to fight HIV-AIDS and poverty.

Mr. Mandela's eldest son died from AIDS in January.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.


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