World News Story

23 November 2008 11:10 BST

Nelson Mandela marks 90th birthday

Nelson Mandela, his family, friends and supporters worldwide, are today celebrating the former South African president's 90th birthday.

His family are hosting a party with hundreds of guests at his home in Qunu tomorrow to mark the occasion.

Mr Mandela spent 27 years in jail for protesting against apartheid in South Africa before his release in 1990.

Four years later, having already won the Nobel peace prize, he became the country's first black president by advocating reconciliation and negotiations.

Gordon Brown describes Mr Mandela as the "most inspiring, the greatest and the most courageous leader of our generation".

In a birthday message Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who helped award the 2010 World Cup to South Africa, said there was "no greater symbol of Africa's humanity than you".

Over the past year a series of events have been held leading up to today's landmark date, while commemorative coins and stamps have been commission in South Africa.

Last month in London's Hyde Park a birthday concert featuring Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Razorlight and Will Smith was held for Mr Mandela.

Proceeds from the concert – which took place 20 years after a similar event to protest against his continued imprisonment – were donated to Mr Mandela's charity 46,664, named after his prison number.

Earlier this month Mr Mandela was finally removed from the US terror list allowing him to travel to the country without a waiver from the secretary of state.

He and other senior members of the African National Congress (ANC) were added to the list after South Africa's apartheid government deemed the group a terrorist organisation.

Today the ANC finds itself embroiled in troubles of its own, with leader Jacob Zuma at odds with the country's president Thabo Mbeki.

The country is divided over how to react to the political crisis in Zimbabwe, which has caused riots between residents, immigrants and refugees in 2008.