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Mandela on his release from prison Greg English/AP
mandela day

Gallery: The life and times of Nelson Mandela

As the world celebrates Mandela Day, TheJournal.ie takes a look at the South African icon’s incredible life.
12.04pm, 18 Jul 2011
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TODAY IS THE world’s second ever Mandela Day, held to mark the legacy of the South African leader and anti-apartheid campaigner.

As Mandela turns 93 today, people all over the world are being urged to give some time to support a chosen charity or simply their local community. Calling Mandela “a living symbol of wisdom, courage and integrity,” UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon joined the call for “people around the globe to perform 67 minutes of public service on Mandela Day – one minute for every year of Mandela’s own service to humanity.”

He recalled that Mandela has been “a lawyer and a freedom fighter, a political prisoner, a peacemaker and president”. Here TheJournal.ie takes a look at the South African icon’s life and times.

Gallery: The life and times of Nelson Mandela
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  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Mandela was born in 1918. Pictured in 1937, he was well educated and took up an early career as a lawyer.

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    In 1964 he was imprisoned along with seven other members of the African National Congress for conspiring to sabotage the South African state. There were protests outside the court. (AP)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    This 1964 photo shows him while in prison on Robben Island, where he did hard labour in a lime quarry. Black prisoners were given less food than white. (Topham)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    In 1985, president PW Botha offered Mandela a conditional release. In a statement read by his daughter Zindzi Mandela refused, saying: "What freedom am I being offered while the organisation of the people remains banned?" (AP Photo/Peters)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    In 1990, South African President FW De Klerk lifted the ban on anti-apartheid organisations and announced Mandela's release. (AP Photo/Adil Bradlow)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Crowds in London react to the news (Adam Butler/PA Archive)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Mandela and wife Winnie on his release from prison (Greg English/AP)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Both Mandela and de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. (AP-Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Casting his vote in the country's first all-race elections in 1994. The ANC would sweep to victory. (AP Photo/John Parkin)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Mandela dances after becoming the first black president of South Africa. (John Parkin/AP)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Mandela urged all South Africans to get behind their rugby team at the 1995 World Cup - turning the victory into a moment of national reconciliation (Ross Kinnaird/Empics)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    In 1999, he stepped down as president. He is pictured campaigning for his successor, Thabo Mbeki. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Mandela remained active in world affairs after his retirement. Here he speaks with Bill Clinton in 2005. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • The life of Nelson Mandela

    Nelson Mandela and his third wife Gracie wave to the crowd during the closing ceremony of the 2010 South Africa World Cup. (Mike Egerton/Empics)
  • Mandela was born in 1918. Pictured in 1937, he was well educated and took up an early career as a lawyer.
  • In 1964 he was imprisoned along with seven other members of the African National Congress for conspiring to sabotage the South African state. There were protests outside the court. (AP)
  • This 1964 photo shows him while in prison on Robben Island, where he did hard labour in a lime quarry. Black prisoners were given less food than white. (Topham)
  • In 1985, president PW Botha offered Mandela a conditional release. In a statement read by his daughter Zindzi Mandela refused, saying:
  • In 1990, South African President FW De Klerk lifted the ban on anti-apartheid organisations and announced Mandela's release. (AP Photo/Adil Bradlow)
  • Crowds in London react to the news (Adam Butler/PA Archive)
  • Mandela and wife Winnie on his release from prison (Greg English/AP)
  • Both Mandela and de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. (AP-Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
  • Casting his vote in the country's first all-race elections in 1994. The ANC would sweep to victory. (AP Photo/John Parkin)
  • Mandela dances after becoming the first black president of South Africa. (John Parkin/AP)
  • Mandela urged all South Africans to get behind their rugby team at the 1995 World Cup - turning the victory into a moment of national reconciliation (Ross Kinnaird/Empics)
  • In 1999, he stepped down as president. He is pictured campaigning for his successor, Thabo Mbeki. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
  • Mandela remained active in world affairs after his retirement. Here he speaks with Bill Clinton in 2005. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
  • Nelson Mandela and his third wife Gracie wave to the crowd during the closing ceremony of the 2010 South Africa World Cup. (Mike Egerton/Empics)

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