Nelson Mandela Celebrates his 93rd Birthday!

South Africa’s former president and beloved leader, Nelson Mandela, celebrates his 93rd birthday today.

As he turns 93, and as a nation celebrates, with many pledging 67 minutes of their time to good causes, a warder, his lawyer and a neighbour who once shielded him while he was a fugitive from the law remember different aspects of Nelson Mandela.

Young prison warder Christo Brand was working in the censor’s office on Robben Island when birthday cards came streaming in.

It was July 18, 1978 – Mandela’s 60th birthday. “Thousands and thousands of them,” recalls Brand, now manager at the Robben Island Museum bookstore and gift shop. “From universities and companies overseas, I’m not even sure how many.”

But Mandela only saw six of the messages. “Conditions were very strict then, so he only got the cards from his direct family,” said Brand.

Sannie Mokone is a few months older than Mandela. But that is not the only thing that makes her smile every time the former president celebrates his birthday.

“His life was once in danger and, together with my neighbours, (we) harboured him while he was in hiding in a room opposite my house in Selborne (outside Pretoria) in the 1950s.

“He was a handsome, Xhosa-speaking young man then; always neatly dressed and sported an unusual hairstyle with a line on his head,” Mokone said. “Mandela shared a rented room with the late Peter Magano, and we all contributed in different ways towards their well-being and protection. I can’t say I personally did much for Mandela, but… it gives me joy that the young man I met decades ago has defeated the odds, and that I’m also here to wish him well on his birthday.”

Throughout South Africa, millions are celebrating the day. This morning more than 12 million students sang a remixed version of “Happy Birthday” to the anti-apartheid advocate before going to class.

Two years ago, the U.N. declared Mandela’s birthday “Nelson Mandela International Day”. It’s a day dedicated to community service and people across the world are volunteering in their communities for 67 minutes- one minute for every year Mandela spent in public service.

On Sunday, President Obama called Mandela “a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation.”

Mandela is spending the day with his family in Qunu, his home village.