Nelson Mandela - SA's 2010 envoy

Johannesburg – "The world cup will help unify people, if there is one thing in this planet that has the power to bind people together it is soccer."

On Friday, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela celebrates his 90 years of existence. As South Africa celebrates his birthday, it is important to look back into his life, achievements and the role he has and continues to play as a vanguard of democracy and purveyor of freedom.

Equally important is the need to hail Madiba for the role he played to ensure that South Africa is awarded the right to host the world's greatest sporting showpiece, the 2010 Fifa World Cup™.

This is a man who reportedly went against 'the doctor's orders' when told he could not attend the 2010 Fifa World Cup host country announcement ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, in May 2004.

When South Africa was announced as the host country, overwhelmed with joy and emotions, tears could be seen streaming from Madiba's eyes; they were tears of jubilation.

Madiba was born at Qunu village near Umtata in the Transkei on 18 July 1918. His father was the Principal Councillor to the Acting Paramount Chief of Thembuland. After his father's death, the young Rolihlahla became the Paramount Chief's ward to be groomed to assume high office.

However, influenced by the cases that came before the Chief's court, he was determined to become a lawyer. He matriculated at Healdtown Methodist Boarding School and then started a BA degree at Fort Hare University. As a member of the Student Representative Council, he participated in a student strike and was expelled, along with the late Oliver Tambo, in 1940. He completed his degree by correspondence from Johannesburg, did articles of clerkship and enrolled for an LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand.

There are so many extraordinary photographs of South Africa's most loved son, but one that captured the spirit of South Africa's foremost sporting achievement is of a beaming Madiba holding on to the priceless Jules Rimet Trophy - the most sought after trophy in the world.

In honour of Madiba, who reportedly said: "I feel like a young man of 15" after hearing the announcement - South Africa and South Africans alike should work to make the hosting of the World Cup a successful event.

During his Presidency, Madiba, whose sport of choice was boxing in his days, lifted more trophies than any other South African leader.

Madiba, sporting a Springbok rugby jersey and cap, presented the coveted Webb Ellis Trophy to the then South African skipper Francois Pienaar to the delight of the capacity crowd at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on 24 June 1995 after the hosts beat the All Blacks of New Zealand.

South Africa had been a country divided for decades by the apartheid regime, but thanks to the unyielding willpower of this statesman the whole country came together to unite behind the Springboks.

Mandela has widely recognised the importance of sports in helping to promote reconciliation.

Barely a year later, Madiba would take to the podium again to present Africa's most sought after football trophy, the African Cup of Nations, to the then Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey. As with the Rugby World Cup, Nelson Mandela was sporting a Bafana jersey and cap.

Probably the most recognisable man the world over, with all the accolades and awards under his belt, Madiba has remained rooted to the ground, ever-so-humble and preaching the spirit of Ubuntu to those who are willing to listen.

Even after South Africa was announced as the 2010 World Cup host nation, Madiba reportedly said: "South Africans should treat this decision with humility and without arrogance because we are, after all, equal."

As South Africans celebrate the man affectionately known as Tata, it is important to heed his call for humility and treat the occasion as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to Celebrate Africa's HumanityTM and use the tournament to unify, encourage and develop South Africans - and ultimately Africans.

In another 2010 Fifa World Cup milestone, Nelson Mandela returned to Robben Island, where he was incarcerated for 18 years, to mark his 89th birthday last year.

The celebrations featured a star-studded line-up of about 50 past and present football superstars who took part "90 Minutes for Mandela" match at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on 18 July.

According to Madiba, football on Robben Island was more than just a game. It was seen as a sport for survival. "It helped uphold the values of tolerance, of inclusiveness and reconciliation, and of non-racialism and peace that are still dear to all of us today."

Madiba said in a recorded message before the match that: "Today is indeed an extra special birthday for me, as I have been given this wonderful gift of a football match played in my honor. This match is more than just a game - it symbolises the power of football to bring people together from all over the world, regardless of the language they speak or the colour of their skin."

South Africans have a history of rising to the occasion - and of all the challenges the country has faced in the past - none is greater than those the country has already overcome.

Crucially important to the success of the 2010 Fifa World Cup is that it is not seen as a challenge, but rather as an opportunity to show the world that South Africa is a nation rich in its economic resources, culture and abilities.

In 2010, Madiba will be 92, and staging a successful World Cup will certainly go a long way to celebrate and thank him for the human being that he is.

Message From Fifa President Sepp Blatter:

Today (18 July), the football world celebrates the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela, an extraordinary man who has dedicated his life to the promotion of human rights and democracy. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter salutes "his friend Madiba" with a special birthday video message to pay tribute to this "icon of humanity". The message will be aired on 18 July by the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) in South Africa and can be viewed at www.FIFA.com.

FIFA President Blatter's original video message:
Today we celebrate a very special birthday - your 90th birthday. There is no greater symbol of Africa's Humanity than you - Nelson Mandela - and what you stand for. You have given more than your share to your country and your continent, you have dedicated your lifetime to the promotion of human rights and democracy and you have led the endless fight for freedom not only of your people, the South Africans, but of all mankind. And that is why you received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

I am proud to be your friend, dear Madiba!

I will never forget the special day of 15 May 2004 when you, my dear friend, came to Switzerland, to show your commitment to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I am still touched by your words right after the 2010 FIFA World Cup was awarded to South Africa, when you held the FIFA World Cup Trophy and said that you felt like a boy of 15. Even at 90, when you smile you still look like a boy. You, a man who talked about how inspirational the 2010 FIFA World Cup is for him and what 2010 means for him and his country.

You are the epitome of grace and dignity; a man with determination to overcome even the greatest odds and this is what FIFA is sure South Africa will deliver to the world in 2010 - the ability to rise to the challenge with great determination, strength and dignity, as it did in bidding for 2010. Ke Nako - it's time. Let's celebrate Africa's Humanity and another wonderful year for you, dear Madiba. For the Game. For the World. For South Africa. Happy Birthday and see you at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup South Africa on 11 June 2010!