Hepi bethidei Mzee Nelson Mandela

This photograph shows Nelson Mandela speaking to Walter Sisulu in the prison courtyard. 

Nelson Mandela was 'kept busy' performing hard labor in a mine quarry. 

He 'kept himself busy' studying law through continued correspondence with the University of London through the external program and received a degree of Bachelor of Laws. 

He remained at Robben Island for 18 of his 27 years spent in prison.

Revered as the symbol of South Africa's post-apartheid reconciliation, Mr Nelson Mandela was released from 27 years in prison in 1990 and was elected South Africa's first black president four years later. 

He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and served one term before stepping down in 1999. 

 

Nelson Mandela seen leaving court in 1956.

Millions of South Africans will today undertake 67 minutes of good deeds today to celebrate the 67 years Nelson Mandela dedicated to public life, an initiative that now coincides with his birthday each year. 
 

At 8am South African time (7am UK time), people around the world are encouraged to join in a communal "Happy Birthday" singalong to kick off Nelson Mandela International Day. 

 

The aim is to persuade 20 million people to sing together in a bid to break a world record. 
 

Mzee Mandela na Mjukuu wake mwaka 1966

Celebrities, politicians, sportsmen, businesses and ordinary citizens will take part in group activities such as planting trees, painting schools, running charity cake sales and visiting old people's homes. 

Andrew Mlangeni, an anti-apartheid activist who was imprisoned with him on Robben Island, said striving to emulate his values would be the best tribute. 

"Living up to the ideals that he sacrificed so much for would be the greatest gift South Africans today could give Mandela," the 86-year-old said. 

 Nelson Mandela's reputation grew the world over while in jail. He became the most significant black leader in South Africa. 

Photographs of him were banded. Some pictures were taken by a fellow prisoner and smuggled out. 

The above photograph shows him repairing his prison cloths in 1966 at Robben Island.

"I wish him long life and good health. His presence is a blessing to all us South Africans and the world." 

Pictured in 1961 as a 42-year-old political activist - and an able heavyweight boxer

Mr Mandela himself is expected to spend his birthday enjoying a lunch at his home in Qunu, which is close to his birthplace, surrounded by his large family and close friends. 

The frail former president, who has been hospitalised twice in the past two years, is rarely seen in public these days and this week, was unable to attend his cousin's funeral in the town because of the cold South African winter. 

Kweku Mandela, a filmmaker, said he was nonetheless "in good spirits". 
 

"He always is when he is home in Qunu," he said. 



"We have bought him a cake and most of the family is arriving this evening. We're going to have a big lunch and generally, do what most families do on birthdays."
 

Mr Mandela was born into the royal family of the Tembu at Qunu, near Umtata, on 18 July 1918. 

This image shows Nelson Mandela and his wife Winnie Mandela leaving the Victor Verster prison, walking hand in hand with clenched fists. 

It had been a Long Walk to Freedom. 

The event was broadcast live all over the world.

The capital of the former Transkei, and now of the Eastern Cape Province. 

Umtata was named after the Mtata River upon whose banks it was formed. 

His father was the principal councillor, to the Acting Paramount Chief of Thembuland. 

 

However, influenced by the cases that came before the Chiefs court, he was determined to become a lawyer. 

Hearing the elders stories of his ancestors valour during the wars of resistance in defence of their fatherland, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people. 

 

After receiving a primary education at a local mission school, Nelson Mandela was sent to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary school of some repute where he matriculated. 

He then enrolled at the University College of Fort Hare for the Bachelor of Arts Degree where he was elected onto the Student's Representative Council. 

He was suspended from college for joining in a protest boycott. 

After his suspension, he went to Johannesburg where he completed his BA by correspondence. 

 

He took articles of clerkship and commenced study for his LLB. He entered politics in earnest while studying in Johannesburg. 

At the height of the Second World War, a small group of young Africans banded together. 

 

These young people set themselves the formidable task of transforming the ANC into a mass movement. 

Deriving its strength and motivation from the unlettered millions of working people in the towns and countryside, the peasants in the rural areas, and the professionals.