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Nelson Mandela

Johannesburg — The Nelson Mandela Foundation is hoping that volunteers around the world donate 67 minutes of their time, when former president Mandela  turns 95 next week. Mandela remained hospitalised yesterday in critical but stable condition, for a recurring lung infection.

He was hospitalised on 8 June.

Mandela turns 95 on 18 July and his foundation’s Twitter feed is asking people to join in the volunteer-day initiative, Mandela Day.

The Twitter feed often shares quotes from the man who spent 27 years in prison.

One Mandela quote shared this week said: “Abject poverty is demeaning, is an assault on the dignity of those that suffer it. In the end it demeans us all.”

Meanwhile, CTV News reports a grandson of Nelson Mandela said on Tuesday the ailing former president is very much alive, while the South African government announced he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Ndaba Mandela urged well-wishers to celebrate the life of the anti-apartheid leader ahead of his 95th birthday.

“With less than two weeks to go before the old man’s birthday, it’s time to celebrate his life,” Ndaba Mandela said in Pretoria.

“The old man is very much alive.”

CTV News adds Ndaba Mandela said his grandfather responds when spoken to, mirroring comments made last week by fellow prisoner and lifelong friend Ahmed Kathrada. — Sapa