President Jacob Zuma and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela were the first to wish Madiba a happy birthday in person on Thursday at the Pretoria Medi-Clinic.

Zuma arrived at the clinic to wish Tata Mandela a happy 95th birthday on Thursday morning. He was later followed by a jovial Madikizela-Mandela who opted to walk into the Park Street entrance instead of being driven in.

A smiling Winnie interacted with civilians and the media saying: “I am so grateful that Tata has lived to make it to this day”. She spared a few minutes for pictures and walked off, almost unguarded into the hospital.

The improvement in Mandela's health is encouraging, Zuma said.

• Watch: Happy birthday, Madiba!

"He continues to respond positively to treatment and we are encouraged by that progress being made," Zuma said at the sixth South Africa-European Union Summit in Pretoria.

"When I visited him today, I found him really stable and I was able to say 'happy birthday' and he was able to smile."

Zuma said South Africa felt "greatly honoured" when the United Nations declared July 18 International Nelson Mandela Day.

"We are truly happy to share this special occasion with you. Mandela's struggle for freedom and justice in our country and his values of promoting a fair, just and equitable world continues to inspire and motivate us," he told the visiting EU delegation.

A military brass band played Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika three times and throngs of well-wishers enthusiastically sang along.

Health improving
Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement earlier that Mandela's health was steadily improving. Thursday marked Mandela's 41st day in the hospital, where he was being treated for a recurring lung infection.

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was also at the hospital, and had a birthday card for Mandela. Mandela's daughter Zindzi Mandela-Motlhajwa said on Thursday it was encouraging to see signs of recovery.

"I would like to assure you, though I may not be a medical doctor, that Tata is making remarkable progress and we look forward to having him back at home soon," she said.

"I often tease him, saying 'our father who art in Houghton'. We would like to have him there [in Houghton], not in hospital."

She was speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, after being handed a replica of Mandela's smart card ID by former president Thabo Mbeki.

Mandela-Motlhajwa said it was an honour to receive the historical gift on behalf of her father.

"Today marks this historic event in terms of the recognition of our citizenship and the restoration of the dignity of the majority of our people who were denied and stripped of this dignity," she said.

Government departments, the private sector and other well wishers gathered at the clinic where is spending his 95th birthday undergoing treatment.

Birthday celebrations
Nelson Mandela look-alike from East London, Ayanda Mbatyothi, flew in to hand over a birthday gift to the Mandela family. The gift, a picture collage banner and a huge Mandela T-shirt specially made by the people of the Eastern Cape, were the brightest visuals outside the clinic.

Mbatyothi said he flew in to represent the people of the Eastern Cape who were there in spirit only. “I’m expecting Ndaba Mandela to collect the banner and the big T-shirt as arranged. We didn’t think Tata would make it to this day, but he is a survivor, and he is very special to the people of the Eastern Cape,” he said to loud cheers outside the clinic.

The Pop Studio distributed hundreds of balloons with Mandela’s face to everyone present, creating a festive celebration as most were let go to fly over the hospital gates.

Music was the preferred form of expression with choirs ranging from school children, a bagpipes band and the Tshwane Metro Police services choir and various other small groups.

A fitting demonstration was given by the Gauteng traffic police guard of honour with just over 200 men and women clad in their police uniform marching up and down the Celliers Street entrance.

A special ANC birthday cake was cut and portions shared among ANC members outside the gate.

Due to the traffic congestion, more celebrations were moved to the Pretoria Art Museum lawns where an ANC Gauteng stage truck was blasting music. The ANC leadership was expected to give an address to hundreds of people who came with their lunch boxes and picnic blankets.

Sacrifice
Mandela’s grandson, Mandla told the Daily Dispatch: “His birthday reminds us of his wish that all of us should give of our time and our efforts in making the lives of the less privileged better. As he has constantly emphasised to all of us in the family, we should recommit ourselves to serving our communities and playing a role in addressing the many challenges facing our country.”

Struggle icon Ahmed Kathrada encouraged the nation to remember the sacrifices Mandela has made.

"Remember what Madiba stood for and sacrificed all his life. It is to build one united nation under one flag, under one anthem," he said at the hospital in Pretoria.

The treason trialist and former Robben Island prisoner reminisced on the ideals Mandela had when he came out of prison, to help shape the country going forward.

He said much still had to be done to achieve those ideals.

"There's a lot that one has to do, because the main message Madiba came out of prison with was his of non-racialism. That means you live in a country of various political beliefs," said Kathrada.

The principle was evident in how the country turned out.

"He [Mandela] said we have to live in the same country with the same people with the message of forgiveness. With the message of looking forward, reconciliation, and going forward with a stronger united South Africa," said Kathrada.

Songs
Pretoria Central High School headmaster Thomas Hlongwane took his pupils to the hospital to sing happy birthday.

He heaped praise on Mandela and thanked him for being level-headed about the future of the country.

"We have peace and stability in South Africa because he chose the negotiations route instead of the AK47," said Hlongwane.

He said many people, especially the youth, took for granted some of the things happening in the country.

He told pupils, 20 years ago he could never have dreamt of living in the suburbs of Centurion. He added his hope that Mandela could live up until the age of 100.

"We will have a huge centenary celebration for him," he said.

Long walk
Former president FW De Klerk said Mandela was approaching the end of his long walk to freedom.

"On his birthday, we should commemorate the remarkable contribution that he has made to South Africa and to all its people," he said.

"Today should be a time for quiet and respectful contemplation, and not for unseemly squabbling over the ownership of Mr Mandela's heritage."

The South African Communist Party agreed that people should not use Mandela's name and legacy in vain.

"Yes, Madiba remains a hero of all, but his heroism is owed to his participation and loyalty to the revolutionary programme and movement under the leadership of the African National Congress," spokesperson Malesela Maleka said.

Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa prayed for his life to be extended.

"Even though he is lying in hospital, we must be grateful for the fact that he is still alive as we celebrate his big day. It is a big day for all of us too," she said at celebrations in Alexandra, Johannesburg.

The African Christian Democratic Party, and Democratic Alliance DA leader Helen Zille, were encouraged by the news of his improving health.

"We support the 67 minutes of service pledge to serve the community in honour of the 67 years Nelson Mandela spent serving the public," Zille said.

Rolling up their sleeves
DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko and colleagues rolled up their sleeves on Thursday to help out at the Othandweni Family Centre in Soweto.

"We cannot all be Nelson Mandela, but we can all strive to improve the lot of our fellow citizens. These acts together are a force for the reconciliation he has strived for during his life, and they alter our humanity for the good," Mazibuko said.

The Food and Allied Workers' Union said it was only right that the nation sacrificed its time to honour Mandela, after all the sacrifices he had made.

South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Neren Rau hoped Mandela's legacy would inspire all South Africans to build the nation.

Correctional Services Minister Sbu Ndebele led a group of people in community service activities in Soweto on Thursday.

Offenders from Leeuwkop Prison helped renovate and paint an orphanage. Poor families received food grown by offenders at prison farms.

African Union Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said Mandela's values of solidarity, humanity, reconciliation, and service to ordinary people were the foundation of the shared values of the continent.

The ANC thanked those people and organisations who had heeded the call to serve others.

In the Eastern Cape, lawyers for Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela were to return to the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha on Thursday to seek the return of the remains of three family members to Mvezo, according to the New Age.

Earlier this month, the court ordered him to return the remains of his grandfather's three children to Qunu from Mvezo, where he moved them two years ago. – Additional reporting by Sapa