Mandela flew home last week to spend his 93rd birthday in the former Transkei.

Reporters camped outside his house the entire day in vain.

Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, got her hands dirty helping the villagers of Qunu prepare a vegetable garden at the multi-purpose community centre.

Machel, along with Mandela's daughter, Princess Zenani Dlamini, spent two hours at the centre.

Machel chatted to the children and then worked in the garden, planting cabbages, spinach and carrots.

She did not give an interview.

"Tata loves you all, my children, but he cannot be with you to celebrate his day because he is tired and is relaxing," Machel told the children, before handing out T-shirts from the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

The children were treated to cake, chips and sweets.

President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela to wish him well yesterday afternoon.

Zuma gave Madiba an architect's impression of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Bridge that will be constructed across the Mbhashe R iver, between Ndondolo v illage, in Dutywa, and Mvezo village, in Mthatha.

The Nelson Mandela Museum restored the ruins of the primary school Madiba attended, and at the nearby Mqhekezweni village, where Madiba grew up, there was preservation of historic trees and construction of an imbizo site where traditional council meetings will be held.

Earlier in the morning, Madiba's grandson, Mandla Mandela, delivered a family message at Mvezo, where a tree-planting ceremony and the cleaning of a school took place.

Ministers and MECs were in Mthatha in Eastern Cape devoting 67 minutes to mark Mandela Day with various forms of community work.

Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu joined members of the army, navy and pupils to convert an old school into a community hall at Kwa-Stwayi, outside Mthatha.

"We are here to do our bit for the community. Now community members can use the hall for meetings, to discuss politics or to elect councillors," she said with a paint brush in hand.

Community member Yoliswa Majokweni said the people were thrilled by what the group did for them.

"We are so delighted, this is much-needed development in our community. What these young people are doing here is wonderful and we are all very grateful."

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa visited the Ngangelizwe police station and later went on a walk-about.

"We are interacting with the public to hear their views on their partnership with the police," he said.

Mthethwa, who is also acting co-operative governance minister, was later joined by local government MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane, finance MEC Phumulo Masualle and ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane in planting trees at five schools.

Mthethwa said planting trees was the most pleasing thing to do.

"As we plant these trees, we want pupils to remember that we celebrate Madiba's birthday and they must not forget his contribution," he said.

Ngangelizwe High School principal Vumile Nguluzane said it was "a great feeling" to know that his school had benefited from Mandela's birthday celebrations.

"It will also bring more confidence to our pupils. We are very pleased that they came here," he said.