Politics and Society
Celebrating the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: A photo essay
Today marks three years since former South African President Nelson Mandela passed away.
On 5 December 2013, the world mourned the death of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela who died at the age of 95. By the time of his death, Madiba- as he was commonly referred to- was widely considered by South Africans as the ‘father of the nation’ and to the rest of the world ‘a global icon.’
As the first democratically elected President at the end of the apartheid era in South Africa, Mandela ensured that his life’s legacy would live on long after his death.
Here are some photographs of Mandela and his legacy:
On June 16 1964, Nelson Mandela was among eight anti-apartheid leaders who were sentenced to jail in the infamous Rivonia trial. They were charged with conspiracy, sabotage and treason. In this photo their fists seen through the bars of the police vehicle echoed their defiance against the apartheid regime. Photo: APF
Nelson Mandela (Left centre row), his former wife Winnie Mandela (wearing white), and other unidentified relatives on the 12 February 1990 in the garden of Desmond Tutu’s residence in Cape Town, one day after the Mandela’s release from jail. Photo: ANP/ Walter Dhladhla
This photo was taken on 11 January 1994 of the then National Party President Frederik Willem de Klerk (L), shaking hands with the leader of the opposition party-African National Congress, Nelson Mandela (R). This was taken three months before the ANC won the first democratic elections in South Africa. Photo: ANP/ Philip Littleton
Nelson Mandela casts his vote in South Africa’s first democratic general elections in 1994. He voted twice – first inside Ohlange High School in Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal and secondly outside the school in front of photographers. The school was started by the founding president of the African National Congress, Mr John Langalibalele Dube. Photo: Flickr/ Markus Zeffler / Rex Features (228686a)
During his term as President, Nelson Mandela met with a number of iconic world leaders. In this photo, Nelson Mandela (L) hugs Cuba’s former President Fidel Castro during a visit to Mandela’s home in Houghton, Johannesburg on September 2, 2001. Photo: ANP/ REUTERS/ Chris Kotze
Former South African President and ANC leader Nelson Mandela along with his wife Graca Machel and his grandson at his birthday celebration in 2009. Photo: Flickr/ Abayomi Azikiwe
Nelson Mandela lifts the World Cup trophy in Zurich on 15 May 2004, after it was announced, that South Africa will host the Soccer World Cup in 2010. Photo: ANP/EPA/ Steffen Schmidt
Orlando Pirates Chairman Ivan Khoza and Thandile Babalwa Sunduza join thousands of mourners in laying flowers outside the home of Nelson Mandela after his death on 5 December 2013. Photo: Flickr/ MyANC.net
