South Africa’s former leader Nelson Mandela celebrated his 89th birthday through activities that got him international recognition, putting the basis of a council formed by prominent former leaders and human rights activists that would deal with world problems.

Mandela dedicated most of his life to the fight for democracy and human rights, receiving numerous awards and the gratitude of thousands of people across the globe. Madiba, as the former president is known in South Africa formed a group of twelve wise men and women called “The Elders” who will address stressing global issues like AIDS, organized crime, poverty by offering their knowledge and experience. 

“The Elders could become a fiercely independent and robust force for good, tackling complex and intractable issues especially those that are not popular. I am confident that The Elders can become a real role model, leading, guiding. The Elders can speak freely and boldly,” Mandela said.

One of the group’s members, Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu explained the purpose and role of this council.

“In traditional societies, it was the elders of the village who were trusted to resolve conflicts and provide wise guidance. Today we live in a global village, yet we don't have our global elders to lead and inspire,” the South African cleric said Wednesday in Johannesburg.

Tutu was completed by UN’s former secretary general Kofi Annan, who said al people have “to come together and work across national boundaries and deal with these problems…poverty, environmental degradation, infectious diseases, internationally organised crime, weapons of mass destruction.”

It seems Mandela is only founding member of the group that is scheduled to meet at least twice a year. Former state leaders and activists like US president Jimmy Carter, former Irish president Mary Robinson, Mandela's wife Graca Machel, Bangladeshi banker and economist Muhammad Yunus, China’s former foreign minister Li Zhaoxing, the founder of India's Self-Employed Women's Association Ela Bhatt, former Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and Burmese pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi complete the member list.

Through the ceremony, prominent personalities took the microphone and praised Mandela for his work and strength of character proven in harsh times like the 27 years spent in prison, from where Mandela inveterately continued his fight against apartheid. 

A football match attended by past and present “magicians” of the ball was held in the honor of Mandela named “90 minutes for Mandela.”

The former leader of the African National Congress couldn’t be present on the stadium, but sent a message to approximately 35,400 people present on the stadium and not only, saying “This match is more than just a game, it symbolises the power of football to bring people together from all over the world, regardless of the language they speak or the colour of their skin,”