Celebrate Mandela's life, urges grandson

Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the first match by visiting Manchester City at the weekend as part of the Nelson Mandela Football Invitational, Mandela said the former statesman - who is still in hospital from 8 June - should be celebrated.

"It's time to celebrate his life. The old man is very much breathing, he's very much alive," said Mandela.

The former President was admitted to hospital for a recurring lung infection. He is due to celebrate his 95th birthday on 18 July.

"The old man is very much breathing, he's very much alive, when I speak to him he responds. Let us not be in a spirit of sadness but rather in a spirit of celebration because the old man is still with us," said Mandela.

Manchester City is due to play SuperSport United at Loftus Versveld on Sunday. At the match a giant birthday card in the honour of the former president will be available for the public to sign.

Funding received through the staging of the match will go towards the refurbishment of schools in Qunu, Eastern Cape through Africa Rising which is an organisation that works with youth, in creating Africans that will empower Africa to be at the forefront of its development.

"We will be using the funding to refurbish some of the schools that are very dilapidated in our village of Qunu. Our village has about 10 schools both primary and high schools. We will also be building a learning centre where children will be taught the importance of using technology for empowering themselves in the 21st century," explained Mandela.

Mandela further expressed appreciation at the partnership between Africa Rising and tour organisers Matchworld. Mandela also thanked the City of Tshwane.

Tickets for the match, which range between R95, R150, R250 and R350, are available at Computicket.

Manchester City is due to arrive in South Africa on Thursday.

The second match will be held on 18 July at the Moses Mabidha stadium in Durban.

The City of Tshwane said the matches help to highlight Mandela Day and the 67 minutes for Madiba campaign to a worldwide audience as South Africa celebrates the legacy of the globally loved former statesman.

City of Tshwane MMC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nozipho Makeke will enhance the city.

"We are happy and proud to host this tournament which will enhance the city's international profiling," she said.

The match at Loftus will kick-off on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

The giant card which the public can sign at the two matches reads: "To a larger than life icon, we dedicate a larger than life birthday card. Happy Birthday Madiba".

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the Presidency said Mandela remains in a critical but stable condition.

"We thank the public for the dignified gatherings outside the hospital. Many groupings and individuals have gathered in dignity, respecting the privacy of Madiba, other patients, their families or the hospital personnel.

"The prayer services around the country are also appreciated. We thank the international community as well for on-going messages of support to Madiba and his family,'' said President Jacob Zuma.