Nelson Mandela, the man who rose from prisoner to president of South Africa, is celebrating his 90th birthday.
Nelson Mandela, who was instrumental in ending apartheid in South Africa and rose from prisoner to president, is celebrating his 90th birthday.
After a series of public, celebratory appearances around the world over the past few weeks, he is expected to spend the day at home with his family.
After a series of public appearances around the world over the past few weeks, he is expected to spend the day at home with his family.
Former President FW de Klerk has led tributes to the man who succeeded him.
Former President FW de Klerk has led tributes to the man who succeeded him.
Mr Mandela was a member of the outlawed ANC under apartheid. He was jailed for 27 years but went on to become South Africa's first black president.
Mr Mandela was jailed 27 years as a member of the banned ANC before he was made the country's first black leader.
The last president of the apartheid era, Mr de Klerk, who was awarded 1993 Nobel Peace Prize along with Mr Mandela, described him as one of the greatest figures of the 20th Century.
Mr de Klerk, who was awarded 1993 Nobel Peace Prize along with Mr Mandela, described him as one of the greatest figures of the 20th Century.
"After his inauguration, Nelson Mandela used his personal charm to promote reconciliation and to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation," he told reporters on Thursday.
"After his inauguration, Nelson Mandela used his personal charm to promote reconciliation and to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation," the last president of the apartheid era told reporters on Thursday.
"This, I believe, will be seen as his greatest legacy."
"This, I believe, will be seen as his greatest legacy."
Since stepping down as president in 1999, Mr Mandela has become South Africa's highest-profile ambassador, campaigning against HIV/Aids and helping to secure his country's right to host the 2010 football World Cup.
Since stepping down as president in 1999, Mr Mandela has become South Africa's highest-profile ambassador, campaigning against HIV/Aids and helping to secure his country's right to host the 2010 football World Cup.
In 2004, at the age of 85, Mr Mandela retired from public life to spend more time with his family and friends and engage in "quiet reflection".
In 2004, at the age of 85, Mr Mandela retired from public life to spend more time with his family and friends and engage in "quiet reflection".
Correspondents say the birthday event in his home village of Qunu in south eastern South Africa was supposed to have been a quiet affair, but there are now a variety of events planned including a local football festival, a concert and a dinner for 500 guests on Saturday.
Correspondents say the birthday event in his home village of Qunu in south eastern South Africa was supposed to have been a quiet affair, but there are now a variety of events planned including a local football festival, a concert and a dinner for 500 guests on Saturday.
'True icon'
Many of those who have worked with Nelson Mandela and had a close friendship with him over the years say that behind the adulation he inspires there is a very human and often extremely private figure, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports.
Fellow Robben Island prisoner Mac Maharaj told our correspondent Mr Mandela was truly an icon.
Cheryl Carolus, a key ANC strategist during the period of fraught political negotiating after Nelson Mandela's release in 1990, described how he stepped in to salvage a rare and precious holiday with her husband when it appeared doomed.
"One thing that matters to him so much is families," she said.
"That's what apartheid took away from us."
Nelson Mandela's own marriage to Winnie was also unravelling at this time.
Rory Steyn, who led one of Mr Mandela's protection teams during the five years he was president, recalls how when he was courting Graca Machel, his wife today, he would insist on going to the shops himself to buy chocolates, flowers and jewellery for her.
He also reduced a veteran white police officer to tears on his inauguration day when he walked over to him, shook his hand and told him "today you have become our police".
But Mr Maharaj argues that the event that sheds most light on Nelson Mandela's character was the killing of the popular ANC leader Chris Hani in 1993.
Mr Maharaj believes that if Nelson Mandela had called for an insurrection in response it would have been unstoppable but, instead, he went on television to call for calm and commitment to democracy.
He suggests that leadership and the moral choice Nelson Mandela made are a lesson for the 21st Century.
What are your views on Nelson Mandela's political career? Did you ever meet him? Send us your views and experiences using the form below:
What are your views on Nelson Mandela's political career? Did you ever meet him? Send us your views and experiences using the form below:
