Johannesburg — Former President Nelson Mandela will turn 90 this year, and preparations are in full swing to mark this milestone.

While his actual birthday on 18 July is traditionally celebrated with his family in the Eastern Cape, major international events are planned every year in the run up to the day and even after.

Speaking at the announcement of the programme for his birthday, 46664 spokesperson Chantal Cuddumbey, said people all around the globe would have the opportunity to send their personal messages to Mr Mandela through SMS, MMS and via the web.

"We are in the process of negotiating with cellular networks around the world to make this possible.

"Online messages will be facilitated through all the Mandela organisation websites, as well as partner websites," said Ms Cuddumbey.

As Mr Mandela announced last year, the major event - the 46664 concert will be held at Hyde Park in London on 27 June.

Ms Cuddumbey further announced that the annual 46664 World Aids Day concert will be held on 29 November in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Furthermore the 46664 campaign, in conjunction with Coutts Incorporated, will unveil its range of silver, gold and platinum 46664 branded bangles in June.

Five hundred special edition 90th birthday bangles will be introduced at a special fund raising event in London.

Other activities include a series of six newspaper interviews in honour of Mr Mandela that would be published from March to July on the site www.nelsonmandela.org.

In South Africa, the Parenting a Nation: Walter and Albertina Sisulu campaign will be unveiled which will coincide with the opening of the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa on 12 March at Mandela House.

An exhibition is expected to be opened by Archbishop Desmond Tutu who will also give a keynote address.

Dialogues and essay and art competitions focused on Mr Mandela's leadership and his vision of an African Child.

The activities will be held in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

Another highlight during the run-up to Mr Mandela's birthday is a visit by the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who will deliver the 6th Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto, on 12 July.

The launch of a Mandela Rhodes Foundation young leader's facility will take place in the Western Cape in July.

A photographic exhibition of Mr Mandela's life by Alf Khumalo will be held in September and October during the launch of Mr Khumalo's news book.