Friday July 18th marks the 90th birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela's. Mandela celebrated his ninth decade on the planet -- nearly three of which were spent as a political prisoner at -- in Qunu, his childhood home, described by The Australian as " the humble rural homestead where he was born and once herded cattle." Mandela gave this birthday message to the world:

"There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate who have not been able to conquer poverty. Poverty has gripped our people. If you are poor, you are not likely to live long."

The former President also asked young South Africans to be "disciplined" in their lives. The twin themes of the disciplined life and the fight against global poverty have preoccupied Mr. Mandela since the end of the totalitarian rule of Apartheid. It was Mandela's own passion for organizational discipline that led, in part, to the ultimate triumph of the African National Congress as South Africa's ruling party.

[image: NelsonMandela.org]