Government ministers joined in Sunday's nationwide day of public service in honor of Nelson Mandela's 92nd birthday, the South African government has said.

It was reported that Sunday was the first Mandela Day in South African, which is highlighted by everyone in the country putting in 67 minutes of community service.

Ministers worked in hospitals, distributed identification cards to rural residents and fixed up school buildings, said BuaNews, the South African government news service.

It has been reported that U. S. actor Morgan Freeman, who recently played Mandela in the film "Invictus" joined a cadre of motorcycle riders who performed maintenance work on a community health center in Khayelitsha.

The 67 minutes represents the 67 years Mandela has dedicated to public service.

The report also noted that Mandela's long legacy was noted by U. S. President Barack Obama, who said in a written statement issued by the White House that the United States was "grateful to continue to be blessed with his extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit."

Obama had said, "We strive to follow his example of what it means to truly give back to our communities, our nations and our world." (With Inputs from Agencies)