WHILE the world waited for the daily update on the health of Nelson Mandela, South Africans were yesterday celebrating Mandela Day.

On his 95th birthday, which he celebrated in a Pretoria hospital, my former president continued to fight for his life.

Madiba – the tribal name by which we South Africans lovingly refer to him – is in a bad way and we are all bracing ourselves for the day when he will no longer be with us.

But we have ensured his birthday will continue to be celebrated forever, by naming his birthday – July 18 – as Mandela Day in South Africa.

Yesterday, South Africans were encouraged to carry out 67 minutes of charitable work in honour of Madiba's 67 years of struggle for social justice in South Africa.

Citizens of my homeland took part in activities ranging from collecting food for township soup kitchens to raising money to fund buses for rural schools.

Small things perhaps, but Mandela Day will at least ensure that the Rainbow Nation's people will continue to remember those less fortunate.

Glasgow has a proud history when it comes to Mandela and the fight to end apartheid.

I'll never forget first arriving in Glasgow and discovering Nelson Mandela Place.

And learning how it got its name filled me with pride about my new home.

In 1986, with the South African government under growing pressure to end apartheid, the then Glasgow District Council made what was a quite brilliant move to show their support for a free South Africa.

They changed the name of St George's Place to Nelson Mandela Place.

On its own, that was quite a gesture. But when you consider that St George's Place was then home to the South African Consulate, it took on even more significance.

The consulate staff, loyal of course to the apartheid government, were more than a little annoyed at Glasgow's bold move.

You can't help but smile at the gallus cheek of the name change.

In 1993, with Mandela a free man and just months away from becoming South Africa's first freely-elected president, he came to Glasgow to be given the freedom of the city.

It was gestures such as that made by Glasgow in 1986 which added to the international calls which ultimately forced the apartheid government to end its racist policies.

So while I wished I was at home yesterday, doing my part for Mandela Day, at least I was able to take a stroll through Nelson Mandela Place.

Thank you, Glasgow. And happy birthday, Madiba.