Nelson Mandela remains a 20th century icon as a champion of human rights, political activism, equality and peace.
On what would have been his 100th birthday today, people across the world are celebrating his legacy and calling for leaders to do more to tackle global injustice and poverty.
In 1962, Mandela was arrested for his activism against South Africa’s racist apartheid system.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the apartheid state and served 27 years behind bars, split between Robben Island, Pollsmoor Prison, and Victor Verster Prison.
Amid growing domestic and international pressure – as well as increased fears of a racial civil war – then-president FW de Klerk released him in 1990.
Three years after his release, he became the first black president of South Africa and went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Five years after his death in 2013, he continues to provide inspiration in the face of adversity and injustice.
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Paying tribute in an impassioned speech to mark the 100th anniversary, former US president Barack Obama told a cheering crowd of thousands in South Africa to keep alive the ideas that Mandela worked for including democracy, diversity and tolerance.
He said: ‘I believe in Nelson Mandela’s vision. I believe in a vision shared by Gandhi and [Martin Luther] King and Abraham Lincoln.
‘I believe in a vision… built on the premise that all people are created equal and they’re endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights.’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also paid tribute to the former South African leader in a visit to an exhibition about Mandela’s life in London.
Harry and Meghan’s attention was well received by those who knew Mandela well.
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Nelson Mandela Inspirational Quotes
‘Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.’
‘Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated and passionate about what they do.’
‘Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.’
‘I am not a saint unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.’
‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’
‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’
‘I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live and achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’
Mandela’s former Robben Island prison-mate Andrew Mlangeni, 93, said their visit shows the monarchy supported the anti-apartheid ‘struggle for freedom’.
‘When I shook their hands I said for the whole month I’m not going to wash my hand – I never thought I would meet royalty,’ Mr Mlangeni said.
It has been a century since South Africa’s first democratically-elected president was born but contemporary South Africa still struggles with race challenges.
A ceremony will take place in Johannesburg to honour his vision for democracy and social inclusion later today.
But outside South Africa, people across the world have taken to Twitter to mark #MandelaDay – an initiative launched by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to celebrate his legacy with a global call to take action against poverty.
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