Happy Birthday Nelson

Team Shosholoza send their greeting prior to the South African leader's 90th birthday

Team Shosholoza has sent warm greetings to Mr Nelson Mandela ahead of his 90th birthday celebrations tomorrow (18 July 2008).

Mr Mandela was generous with his support for Team Shosholoza, South Africa’s first ever America’s Cup challenger, when the team was announced in March 2004.

Although Mr Mandela wasn’t able to visit the team while they were competing in Europe during the 2007 America’s Cup, he shared some of his world renowned 'Madiba Magic' with them by accepting a specially made 18th man Shosholoza jacket from team founding Managing Director Captain Salvatore Sarno.

A photograph taken at the meeting with Mr Mandela in Johannesburg in 2005 is still prominently displayed at the South African team’s base in the 2007 America's Cup host city, Valencia, in Spain.

Team Shosholoza's birthday message to Mr Mandela was: “It is with a great emotion for all of us to wish you Happy Birthday. For three long years we have held our head’s high while competing against the world `s best yachtsmen at the America’s Cup. As true South Africans we have been humble in our victory and remained proud in the defeats. We have done this for South Africa and for You - forever our inspirer.

"We love you – from Captain Salvatore and all of us at Team Shosholoza."