The UN has named July 18, Mandela’s birthday as Nelson Mandela International Day, to honour the Nobel laureate’s contributions to world peace.
Also, the South Africans are being urged to devote their 67 minutes today to some charitable work in order to pay a tribute to Mandela’s 67 years of service.
Mandela led South Africa through a tense transition from apartheid to democracy and became president in the country's first all-race elections in 1994.
On the eve of his birthday yesterday, Mandela’s daughter Zindzi said that he has made "dramatic progress," and may be going home "anytime soon".
Mandela is gaining "energy and strength," said his daughter.
Mandela has been in a Pretoria hospital since June 8 and officials say his condition is critical but stable.
The news of the improvement in Mandela's health will boost his supporters in South Africa and around the world who are preparing to celebrate his 95th birthday on Thursday, a day declared by the United Nations as a way to recognize the Nobel Prize winner's contribution to reconciliation.
President Jacob Zuma will mark the birthday by overseeing the donation of houses to poor white families in the Pretoria area, in line with his Cabinet's theme to commemorate Mandela's birthday this year by focusing on food security, shelter and literacy.
In Cape Town, labor activists are holding an event at St. George's Cathedral on Thursday, in remembrance of Mandela's years of service and to encourage people to donate food to charity while leaving messages of support for the former leader's family.
Mandela, who is in critical but stable condition, has been hospitalized since June 8, and hundreds of well-wishers have left prayers and messages of hope at his Johannesburg home and at the hospital where he is being treated. Legal documents have said Mandela's breathing is machine-assisted.
The anti-apartheid leader has also inspired artists and graphic designers who celebrate his life through paintings and posters.
A group of young South African designers created a poster project to offer a global perspective of Mandela with submissions from around the world. The group whittled down 700 posters submitted by designers from more than 70 countries, to 95 for each day of Mandela's life.
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