The Mandela family released this photo ahead of Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday
South Africans are set to celebrate ex-President Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday.
His foundation has urged people to do 67 minutes of voluntary
work on the day - to represent the 67 years he devoted to South
Africa's political struggle. The anti-apartheid icon is expected to spend the day with family in his childhood village in the Eastern Cape.
The country's 12.4m school children are also due to sing to him simultaneously in the morning.
At 0805 (0605 GMT), school assemblies across the country are set to sing Happy Birthday Tata Madiba - a song specially composed for his 93rd birthday.
“Start Quote
End Quote Ban Ki-moon UN secretary-generalThe best way we can thank Nelson Mandela for his work is by taking action for others and inspiring change”
Mr Mandela, who is a hero to
many in South Africa and around the world for his long fight against
white minority rule, has appeared increasingly frail since he retired
from public life in 2004.
He has been receiving round-the-clock medical care at home
following his release from hospital in January where he was treated for
an acute respiratory infection, says the BBC's Nomsa Maseko in
Johannesburg.Known to South Africans by his clan name Madiba, Mr Mandela has not appeared at a public engagement since the closing ceremony of the football World Cup in July 2010.
A photo released ahead of his birthday shows him smiling and surrounded by members of his family.
'Moving'
School children have made birthday cards for Mr Mandela
"If a man could dedicate 67 years of his life to doing good for
the world, imagine what we could achieve if everyone just gave 67
minutes of their time to do the same," said Said Achmat Dangor, the head
of the foundation.South African companies, charities and celebrities have all announced plans for voluntary work they will do on the day.
Mr Ban urged others around the world to do the same. "The best way we can thank Nelson Mandela for his work is by taking action for others and inspiring change," he said.
In a statement released ahead of the occasion, US President Barack Obama said Mr Mandela's life and legacy exemplified "wisdom, strength and grace".
His wife, Michelle Obama, and daughters met Mr Mandela last month in Johannesburg during a visit to South Africa.
Mr Obama said his family's time with Mr Mandela was "the most moving part of their trip".
Mr Mandela stood down as South Africa's president in 1999 after serving one term, handing over to Thabo Mbeki.
Upon leaving prison in 1990 after 27 years in jail, he led the African National Congress party to a landslide victory in 1994 - the first time South Africa's black majority was allowed to vote.