Millions of South African schoolchildren have raised their voices in song to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday, leading a worldwide chorus of birthday wishes for him.
More than 12 million students sang a special version of Happy Birthday before lessons began on Monday.
Mandela also received birthday wishes from South African leaders and from Barack Obama. In a statement, the US president called Mandela "a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation".
Mandela, who has retired from public life, is expected to spend the day with his family in his home village of Qunu, approximately 600 miles (965km) south of Johannesburg.
People around the world have been asked to mark the occasion by giving 67 minutes of their time to work in their local community – one minute for every year of Mandela's public service. He became South Africa's first black president after spending 27 years in prison for his fight against apartheid. He was awarded a Nobel peace prize for his efforts.
For many South Africans, the elder statesman is also thought of as a beloved family member and referred to by his clan name, Madiba.
Students at the Johannesburg School for the Blind and Partially Sighted sang and danced on Monday morning as they wished their "Tata Mandela" a happy birthday.
Most of the students are fire victims from South Africa's impoverished townships and have received assistance from the Children of Fire charity.
This year, the charity held a mock trial at the school to illustrate Mandela's role in fostering reconciliation after apartheid's end.
Charity founder Bronwen Jones said the lesson is especially valuable for children who have been through adversity. She said one in three of the children were burned intentionally.
"For them to be able to rise from that and forgive the people who hurt them, there's no better example than Madiba," she said.