South Africa on Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday can only be described as 'an African dream realised'. Mandela's dream.
The world cup in 2010, a thriving tourist and hospitality industry, economic and political stability, integrated schools where children only learn of their segregated past in history books, a free press that encourages political debate and one of the most progressive Constitutions, one which contains more guarantees of equality than any other in the world. The Constitution is proudly handed out in booklet form to visitors at most tourist attractions. Anyone with even a brief knowledge of their history could never begrudge them that pride. Theirs is a testament to the impossible possibility, and achievement of a country that only less than a decade and a half ago suffered from one of the worst forms of racial segregation.
The last country in Africa to gain independence, South Africa has come a long way in the 14 years it's been a democracy.
It now plays a father role in Africa, acting as mediator in conflicts throughout the last decade and offering refuge to brethren from troubled regions around the continent.
The beautiful weather, glorious sunsets, world class cuisine, adventure sports, breathtaking natural attractions are all fantastic reasons why visitors should make South Africa a destination of choice, but most importantly South Africa is witness to an Africa that works because 'Ubuntu'- the profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of others, dictates the way the nation lives. For an increasingly cynical world it provides proof that a peoples will can triumph over any political adversity, to bring about desired change.

During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people, I have fought against White domination, and I have fought against Black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a Democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if it needs be it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.'
Nelson Mandela

Today a grateful people reflect as they celebrate the 90th birthday of a simple man who brought them a hope higher than hope, jubilant that he lives to witness his dreams for their country realised, aware that many other loved political activists did not live to see the free South Africa their struggle brought.