Nelson Mandela celebrates 93rd birthday

QUNU, South Africa, July 18 (UPI) -- About 12 million singing schoolchildren helped former South African President Nelson Mandela celebrate his 93rd birthday Monday.

The children sang "Happy Birthday" at schools across the country.

In a birthday message, aired before the singing, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela laid a solid foundation for the country and it was up to South Africans to maintain his legacy, BuaNews reported.

"From the moment Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela strode out of prison on the 11th of February 1990, we knew that South Africa would be a different place," Zuma said. "He showed us that, despite the divisive racial oppression and hardships that this nation had gone through, it is not only possible but necessary to embrace one another and to reconcile the South African people."

Zuma said while much had been done "we must still work further to eradicate poverty and improve especially the lives of children because [Mandela] loves them so much."

Mandela, who has had several hospitalizations in recent months, was expected to spend the day with his family in Qunu.

Mandela received birthday wishes from international leaders and in online postings of social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

He was president from 1994 to 1999 after serving 27 years in prison.