Africa's traditional veneration of patriarchs is being manifest - on a grand scale - in South Africa as President Nelson Mandela approaches his 80th birthday. The birthday will be his eighth since his release from prison.
While inevitably the glitter generated by one of continent's greatest sons has lost some of its sparkle, South Africans have not become blase about the white-haired head of state. He still attracts excited, though deferential, crowds wherever he goes, particularly in the black community.
South Africa is preparing for another bout of Mandela-mania as institutions vie with one another to honour him by recording highlights of his public life and offering snippets of his private life.
Thus Beeld, the Afrikaans daily newspaper which once offered solid support to the former president, Mr P.W. Botha, trumpets that its special supplement to commemorate Mr Mandela's 80th birthday will contain a message from the head of state, written in Afrikaans.
Not to be outdone, the Star, South Africa's largest-selling daily newspaper, boasts that it will publish a 20-page supplement on "top quality specially-milled paper". In a bid to pre-empt its rivals in honouring Mr Mandela, the supplement will be published on Friday, the day before his birthday.
The once staid newspaper - which is accused by some observers of parading its commitment to the "new patriotism" of post-apartheid South Africa - will sell at half its usual price on Friday in an effort to ensure maximum distribution of its souvenir edition.
National television, which comes second to no-one in its fervour for ANC-ruled South Africa, has urged viewers to phone in to wish Mr Mandela a happy birthday and qualify to win an original painting of the nation's elder statesman.
The Post Office has stolen a march in the race to honour Madiba, as Mr Mandela is widely and affectionately known. Letters posted in South Africa's three major centres - Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria - carry a simple stamped message: "Happy Birthday Madiba".
The African National Congress, which Mr Mandela headed until his decision to step down as its president last December, and which will rely on his charisma to raise money and woo voters for next year's general election, has opened a dedicated birthday message service on its internet site.
One of those to already send cyber-wishes to Mr Mandela is the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair. His unpretentious message wishes Mr Mandela "many happy returns and congratulations on reaching 80".
Mr Mandela, whose schedule in the past two days has included a visit to bereaved families in the violence-torn town of Richmond in KwaZulu-Natal and to an immigrant Chinese family whose infant son was murdered by robbers, will spend his birthday at home with his family. But he will simultaneously use the occasion to promote his Millennium Fund for his favourite charities.
He will also host a party for 1,400 disabled youngsters in the Kruger National Park before attending a gala dinner and two pop concerts.
