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.
For South Africans, a Bittersweet Birthday Celebration for Nelson Mandela
![A woman walks past a mural with the face of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Cape Town, South Africa, July 18, 2014.](https://gdb.voanews.com/494fd5dc-ea39-475b-b3dd-3090193a9afb_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
1
A woman walks past a mural with the face of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Cape Town, South Africa, July 18, 2014.
![A child from the nearby poverty-stricken Alexandra Township eats a lollipop on a visit to Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, Friday, July 18, 2014.](https://gdb.voanews.com/47bc5c70-3680-4d3c-bf35-342b17d6fa7c_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
2
A child from the nearby poverty-stricken Alexandra Township eats a lollipop on a visit to Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, Friday, July 18, 2014.
![Raindrops fall on the statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, July 18, 2014.](https://gdb.voanews.com/1284cc57-725f-4f1d-814e-2d423f6fb772_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
3
Raindrops fall on the statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, July 18, 2014.
![Archbishop Desmond Tutu, right, holds out his hand as he interacts with children during celebrations of former South African President Nelson Mandela's birthday in Cape Town, South Africa, July 18, 2014.](https://gdb.voanews.com/7d93fec3-cc5a-4ce2-a795-8a8b33b2f54a_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
4
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, right, holds out his hand as he interacts with children during celebrations of former South African President Nelson Mandela's birthday in Cape Town, South Africa, July 18, 2014.