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An inspiration for us: Mbeki

— PHOTO: AFP

TOWERING LEADER: The former South African President, Nelson Mandela (third from right), celebrating his 89th birthday, with dignitaries from around the world in Johannesburg on Wednesday. (From left) Bangladesh Nobel prize winner Muhammad Yunus; the former Irish President, Mary Robinson; the former U.N. chief, Kofi Annan; Mr. Mandela’s wife Gracha; the former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Durban: The former South African President and Nobel Peace laureate, Nelson Mandela, who turned 89 on Wednesday, has been chosen as the “most popular and loved” person by the country, according to a survey.

The survey, conducted by research company Markinor, has found that Mr. Mandela’s popularity among all racial groups has risen significantly since he became the first democratic President in 1994.

President Thabo Mbeki was one of the first to extend his greetings to Mr. Mandela on his birthday. “Mandela is an inspiration to South Africa, the continent and the rest of humanity through his life and his leadership”, Mr. Mbeki said. — PTI

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