South Africans called upon to break world record by singing for Mandela

Johannesburg, Apr 11 (ANI): A planned attempt is being made to break a world record by getting over 20 million people to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Nelson Mandela.

Last year the Basic Education department and Lead SA group arranged for millions of schoolchildren to sing to the former South African president at 08:00 on his birthday. This year's attempt was announced on Tuesday.

"This year we hope to break the Guinness Book of World Records with more than 20 million South Africans singing," news24 quoted Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and the civic participation group as saying in a statement.

"We want to encourage the nation to join in," Motshekga said.

Lead SA spokesperson Yusuf Abramjee also said he was confident that the public would show their love and affection for Mandela by participating in singing to him on his 94th birthday on Wednesday 18 July.

"In addition to the millions of schoolchildren, we want people in offices, in factories and those out on the streets to join in," he said.

The SHOUT Foundation, a movement aimed at reducing crime, committed 94 singers to record the song for distribution in the run-up to Mandela's birthday. (ANI)