Former South African President Nelson Mandela, symbol of the anti-apartheid movement, is celebrating his 90th birthday.

He planned to spend his birthday on Friday quietly with his family. However, according to BBC, celebrations in Qunu, his homeland village located in the southeast of the country, have increased rapidly. In the honor of the African National Congress’s head, a birthday dinner for 500 guests is scheduled to take place Saturday, as well as a concert and a soccer event.

Mr. Mandela, who was imprisoned on Robben Island for 27 years as leader of the prohibited ANC, managed to become South Africa’s first black leader. As one of the most admired and appreciated men in the world, he has become the country’s highest-profile ambassador.

F.W. De Klerk, the last white president of South Africa, is one of the people who paid homage to Nelson Mandela on the evening before his anniversary. "After his inauguration, Nelson Mandela used his personal charm to promote reconciliation and to mold our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation," De Klerk told the media Thursday. "This, I believe, will be seen as his greatest legacy."

In 1993 Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with De Klerk He struggled with HIV/Aids and helped to guarantee his nation's right to host the 2010 football World Cup.

In 2004 Mandela, one of the utmost figures of the past century, retired from public life to spend more time with his family members and friends. "We are honored that you wish to celebrate the birthday of a retired old man who no longer has power or influence," said the former president.