"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children," is the famous quote by Nelson Mandela, encapsulating the former president's devotion to the well being of South Africa's youngest and most vulnerable citizens. 

Now, as Nelson Mandela remains in critical condition in a Pretoria hospital, the country's children are giving back outside Mandela's Houghton home. Hand-written notes, balloons, letters, prayers, cards, candles and flowers adorn the flowerbeds outside the icon's home. Most of them have been hand-delivered by children. 

"You are such an inspiration and I'm sad and hurt to think of your suffering. You are forever in our hearts," wrote Marjorie. Caitlin and Angelica also wished Mandela a speedy recovery: "Dear Mandela, I hope you get better fast. Everybody is happy because of you. I wish I could meet you. Xoxo" 

Tarryn Harris showed empathy towards the former president, along with letters from several of her classmates:  "I was in hospital as well and it is not nice. All I am trying to say is get better soon. That is all." 

Cachel and her family shared their own experience of dealing with death in a hand-written note: "My dad passed away a few years ago but I stayed strong. And you should too!" 

For two-year-old Ethan Rutenburg, leaving a message to Mandela might be his first memory of the man he calls "Tata". "Thank you," was his simple message, no doubt penned by a parent or older sibling. 

Tristan, who is six years old, sticky-taped his yellow-and-red poster to a lamp-post outside Mandela's home: "Mr Mandela, you are a star!" 

'You are insane'
Dani's note was less colourful, but no less sincere: "We love you so much and we wish you a long life. You are our life. You are insane." 

Many messages were written in colourful koki-pens, in the white-and-yellow stripes on the South African flag. Sipho chose to write his message on a yellow-and-green South African scarf: "Askies, Tata!" 

Lucien, Joelene, Ava and Luke's family's letter was one of many adorned with glitter and crayon drawings: "We drove across town without permission; we live where we can, not where we are told to, all because of you and other heroes." 

Many of the other letters were accompanied by hand-drawn portraits of Mandela. Other children lit candles, while some arrived at Mandela's house empty-handed. Like seven-year-old Lerato*, whose father brought her to Mandela's Houghton home because he felt it was "important" that she should experience the tribute site. 

Her father told the Mail & Guardian: "It's important for kids to see this. I want my daughters to understand why everyone is so upset that Mandela is ill." 

Mandela's fondness for children is well-documented and was proven with the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and other initiatives, such as The Children's Mandela, published in 2010, which is a collection of 1 300 tributes to the former statesman from South African children.

Caring for children
It is also a personal dream of Mandela's to see the establishment of a specialised pediatric hospital, where no child will be turned away because of financial constraints. 

Indeed, the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital will open its doors in 2014 with 200 beds. The Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital Trust is chaired by Mandela's wife, Graça Machel. 

​It will provide facilities to children from across Southern Africa – and will address the dire need for specialised paediatric hospitals in South Africa. There are only four specialised facilities in the country, which must provide services to about 450-million children, according to the hospital's latest annual report.

Mandela himself described the hospital as such: "A specialised, dedicated children's hospital will be a credible demonstration of the commitment of African leaders to place the rights of children at the forefront. Nothing less would be enough."
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And there is no shortage of the gratitude felt by South Africa's children, as is evident from the scenes outside his home. As Wium Smit so eloquently wrote: "Dear Nelson Mandela, you are my role model. Love, Wium. PS Jesus thinks about you."