Birthday wishes pour in as Mbeki turns 75

BIRTHDAY wishes have been pouring in for former president Thabo Mbeki, who celebrated his 75th birthday yesterday.

He shares a birthday with music legend Sir Paul McCartney, who also turned 75 yesterday.

Among those who wished Mbeki on social media were former public protector Thuli Madonsela and Zelda la Grange‚ former personal assistant to the late Nelson Mandela.

Wishing Mbeki on Twitter‚ La Grange said: “Happy birthday frm President Thabo Mbeki. If only we knew then‚ what the future would hold . . . You taught us an expensive lesson. But Tk u Sir.”

Madonsela tweeted: “Happy birthday President Mbeki. Blessings in years ahead.”

The South African government also sent a message to wish him.

COPE said all South Africans were “enormously beholden to the huge role this statesman‚ Thabo Mbeki‚ has played in the liberation of our country”.

“On behalf of Congress of the People‚ we wish our beloved president Mbeki good health and a very blessed future. We wish the Almighty give him many more years‚ because the country needs his leadership and wisdom more than ever before.

“May the Lord pour his blessings on this beloved son of South Africa and this true and remarkable hero of the people.

“Happy birthday to you and so say all of us!” COPE spokesman Dennis Bloem said.

The ANC in Gauteng tweeted: “Today we wish former President Thabo Mbeki a very revolutionary birthday and may he see many more. Long live Comrade Mbeki – long live!”

ANC yethu Sonke (@todayANC) tweeted: “A Happ Birthday to South Africa’s best president‚ Mr Thabo Mbeki.”

“Happy 75th birthday Thabo Mbeki. When you were president‚ the economy grew on average 4.5%. Now we only dream of those days‚” Khaya Dlanga (@Khayadlanga) said.