CBS News Correspondent Mark Phillips was the only American network television correspondent to be invited inside and to record video of former South African President Nelson Mandela during his birthday celebration today. The party to celebrate Mandela’s 94th birthday was held in his hometown of Qunu. In a report for tonight’s “CBS Evening News,” Phillips describes what took place during the family gathering, attended by Mandela’s wife, Graça Machel; his former wife, Winnie; and his children and grandchildren.
> Update: Here’s Phillips’ report from “Evening News” in which he describes how he and his crew got in to the party: “At one point one of the grandchildren said, “Do you want to come in and film him with the family?'”
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