Ashford borough councillors have sent their support to the “inspirational” former president of South Africa in honour of his 95th birthday.

Nelson Mandela turned 95 on Thursday last week, and to celebrate, a full meeting of Ashford council unanimously agreed to send a letter to the “truly extraordinary human being”, to show their support and thank him for his decades of public service.

The letter was posted to the South African High Commission, in Trafalgar Square, London, on Friday from the Mayor of Ashford, Cllr David Smith, on behalf of all council members.

The letter read: “I am writing on behalf of members of Ashford Borough Council, who, at a meeting of full council last night, asked me to send a message of support to Nelson Mandela, via yourselves, on the occasion of his 95th birthday.

“Members said they were aware that many messages of support had been sent to Mr Mandela from around the world and they wished to do the same, in recognition of not only his birthday but also 67 years of public service.

“The council asked me to say that they regard Mr
Mandela as a truly extraordinary human being and a figure who has inspired generations around the world with his courageous fight for freedom, peace, equality and human rights.

“Please be assured of our continued support and best wishes.”

Cllr Smith, member for South Willesborough, said: “Credit must be given to Cllr Amanda Hodgkinson.

“It was her idea and I totally supported it. He is a man who means so much to so many people. He is one of my all-time heroes. At the time of his imprisonment, my house boycotted all South African products in support.

“I won a bottle of South African wine in a raffle once and had to give it back.

“This was something very different for Ashford to do and I’m proud that has happened during my time as mayor. It was non-political; it was in support of the man for his courage and conviction.”

Cllr Michael Claughton (Con), deputy leader of Ashford council, fully supported the decision to send a letter to Mr Mandela, who is currently in hospital fighting a lung infection.

Cllr Claughton was at King’s College Hospital, London, visiting his son, who was born prematurely, on the day that Mr Mandela was released from prison on Sunday, February 11, 1990.

He said: “Staff on the ward, from cleaners to doctors, stopped what they were doing to watch him walk free. People were cheering and crying. It was an extraordinary experience, one that I will never forget; that is when I realise what he meant to his people.

“The man is like a rubber ball; he just bounces back. He is a survivor and we wanted to send our best wishes to him.”