IN 1999, Nelson Mandela retired as SA's president and was replaced by his former first deputy, Thabo Mbeki.

Mandela has since championed several social and human rights organizations. “He had always wanted to do things and not be bound by the formality of office. He wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren,” says Ahmed Kathrada, a co-accused at the Rivonia Treason Trail. “He had been saying he wanted to write.” Mandela has worked tirelessly since he retired, campaigning globally for peace, children and the fight against HIV/AIDS, the most notable being the 4664 campaign using his Robben Island prison number. The campaign raised millions of dollars through a series of concerts and other events featuring international musicians and celebrities. In 2005, Mandela disclosed that his son Makgato has died of AIDS. He disclosure helped to demystify the stigma attached to the disease. There are three official charitable organizations that bear Mandela's name – the Nelson Mandela Children foundation and the Nelson Mandela Rhodes Foundation. His relationship with business leaders has helped him raise much needed funding for his charities.

The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF), which was established in 1995 in response to the plight of SA's children and youth, is the best known of the three.

An annual birthday party, when children join Madiba in celebrating his birthday, takes place at its offices in Saxonwold. The fund also hosts an annual children's Christmas party in Mandela's home village of Qunu.

Mandela's 89^th birthday will be celebrated throughout the country.

Alan Knott-Craig, CEO of Vodacom, had these words for Mandela: “Dear Mandiba, you continue to be a dear friend, a role model and an inspiration to me personally as well as to the people of Vodacom.

“as we go about our business and our lives every day we will try to honour your legacy of making a difference and using our power to improve people's lives. We are blessed that we have enjoyed your presence another year. Happy birthday, Madiba, may these truly be the golden years.” Jan Mrosik, head of sub-region, South Africa, for Nokia Siemens Networks, had this birthday message: “He life has become the example, a leading light for human rights and people everywhere.” he has joined South Africans through democracy, created a global vision for a harmonious future and inspired us in our dream to uplift Africa. At Nokia Siemens Networks we recognize that its Africa's turn to shine. May you continue to guide us Africans as you have in the past 18 years since your freedom”.

Celebrations are organized by Nelson Mandela's Foundation which also manages his diary and personal arrangements.

He is trying very hard to enjoy retirement but its not easy. We are still inundated with requests for his time,” says Zelda la Grange, Mandela's spokesperson and personal assistant. “At his age he is doing exceptionally well, health-wise. However , there is less time for work and bigger need for more time to attend to his health” In 2004 Mandela announced that he would be scaling down his public appearances.

“I am confident that nobody present here today will accuse me of selfishness if I ask to spend time, while I am still in good health, with my family, my friends – and also with myself,” he said at the time.

Although Mandela has chosen to stay out of the limelight, he still comments on world events and in recent years challenged US president George W Bush about the war in Iraq.

Mandela spoke out against the war and even threatened to go to Iraq to protest against the invasion of the Middle Eastern country.

Issues of global politics and reliable leadership are close to his heart. He founded the Mandela Rhodes Foundation to mentor and develop exceptional and committed leaders on the African continent.

Mandela spends his retirement at his home in Mozambique, his birthplace Qunu in the Eastern Cape, in Johannesburg and Limpopo.