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| Mandela celebrates 90th birthday | Mandela celebrates 90th birthday |
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| Nelson Mandela, who was instrumental in ending apartheid in South Africa and rose from prisoner to president, 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 appearances around the world over the past few weeks, he is expected to spend the day at his village 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 his village home with his family. |
| His predecessor as president, FW de Klerk, described him as one of the greatest figures of the last century. | |
| Mr Mandela was jailed for 27 years as a head of the banned ANC. | |
| Nelson Mandela used his personal charm... to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation FW de Klerkformer South African president Audio slideshow: Mandela's life | Nelson Mandela used his personal charm... to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation FW de Klerkformer South African president Audio slideshow: Mandela's life |
| 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". |
| Official birthday celebrations are due to be held on Saturday. | Official birthday celebrations are due to be held on Saturday. |
| "We are honoured that you wish to celebrate the birthday of a retired old man who no longer has power or influence," Mr Mandela said in a special pre-recorded radio broadcast. | "We are honoured that you wish to celebrate the birthday of a retired old man who no longer has power or influence," Mr Mandela said in a special pre-recorded radio broadcast. |
| Tributes, gifts, banners | Tributes, gifts, banners |
| Mr de Klerk, who was awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize along with Mr Mandela, said the former president was a born leader with the "assurance, the humility and the grace of a true natural aristocrat". | |
| LANDMARKS 1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape1964 - Sentenced to life for high treason1990 - Freed from prison1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize1994 - Elected first black president2004 - Retires from public life2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness Mandela: A nation's icon | LANDMARKS 1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape1964 - Sentenced to life for high treason1990 - Freed from prison1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize1994 - Elected first black president2004 - Retires from public life2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness Mandela: A nation's icon |
| "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. | "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." |
| Friday also marks 10 years since Mr Mandela married his third wife, Graca Machel. | Friday also marks 10 years since Mr Mandela married his third wife, Graca Machel. |
| "He is simply a wonderful husband... and we enjoy every single day as if it is the last day," she told CNN. | "He is simply a wonderful husband... and we enjoy every single day as if it is the last day," she told CNN. |
| Gardeners have been mowing the lawn outside the museum honouring Mr Mandela in Qunu and new tarmac has been laid on the road outside his house. | Gardeners have been mowing the lawn outside the museum honouring Mr Mandela in Qunu and new tarmac has been laid on the road outside his house. |
| A school choir has created a song especially for him. | A school choir has created a song especially for him. |
| "Usually these celebrations are done in Johannesburg, so this is a way of being part of it," Mpondomise Ndzambo, principal of the Nkalane Junior Secondary School, told the Associated Press news agency. | "Usually these celebrations are done in Johannesburg, so this is a way of being part of it," Mpondomise Ndzambo, principal of the Nkalane Junior Secondary School, told the Associated Press news agency. |
| Mr Mandela raised funds to develop the school out of its original mud buildings and used to be a frequent visitor. | Mr Mandela raised funds to develop the school out of its original mud buildings and used to be a frequent visitor. |
| In other birthday events, reported by the South African Press Association | In other birthday events, reported by the South African Press Association |
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| 'True icon' | '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. | 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. |
| Three generations reflect on Mandela | Three generations reflect on Mandela |
| Fellow Robben Island prisoner Mac Maharaj told our correspondent Mr Mandela was truly an icon. | Fellow Robben Island prisoner Mac Maharaj told our correspondent Mr Mandela was truly an icon. |
| He 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". | He 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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: |