For many South Africans, this year's celebration of Nelson Mandela's birthday (July 18) is bittersweet, as the statesman died last year at the age of 95. But some say that his influence still looms large in South Africa, and they will honor him Friday on his birthday.
ຊາວອາຟຣິກາໃຕ້ ສະຫຼອງ ວັນເກີດ ທ່ານ Mandela
![The face of former South African President Nelson Mandela is displayed as people paint during his birthday celebrations, in Cape Town, South Africa, July 18, 2014.](https://gdb.voanews.com/9039f6ad-bfc2-482e-97fd-9633867435d5_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The face of former South African President Nelson Mandela is displayed as people paint during his birthday celebrations, in Cape Town, South Africa, July 18, 2014.