Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s ninety-second birthday was marked Sunday with celebrations across South Africa and around the world. The United Nations General Assembly declared July 18th Nelson Mandela International Day. South African president Jacob Zuma paid tribute to Mandela at a gathering of thousands of people in the Eastern Cape province.

South African President Jacob Zuma: “It is not surprising that today we honor him jointly with the world. Sixty-seven years of active contribution to a better South Africa has been recognized by the United Nations and is being celebrated as Nelson Mandela Day for the first time this year. We thank the world for never ceasing to recognize the successes of this nation.”