Johannesburg - The Nelson Mandela Foundation was not organising former president Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday party, the foundation said on Wednesday.

The foundation had received enquiries about the celebration in Qunu - a village close to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape where Mandela spent his childhood.

"This (birthday party) is a private celebration that has not been organised by the Nelson Mandela Foundation but by members of Mr Mandela's family," said the foundation's CEO Achmat Dangor in a statement.

"As we have said before Mr Mandela will celebrate his birthday in private with his family and friends.

"The family has said this is a private function and we ask people to respect their request for privacy," Dangor said.
- SAPA


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