Oliver Reginald Tambo was the ANC liberation movements’ longest-serving president. Tambo led the ruling party in exile for almost a quarter of a century from 1967 to 1991.

Credits: Angie Kapelianis and the SABC media libraries.

© SABC 2020. No unauthorised use, copying, adaptation or reproduction permitted without prior written consent of the SABC.

Angie Kapelianis reflects on the life of Albertina Sisulu, who was described as a big tree in whose shelter and shade people sought comfort and solace.

Credits: Angie Kapelianis, Zanele Jambane,the SABC media libraries and - news research.

© SABC 2020. No unauthorised use, copying, adaptation or reproduction permitted without prior written consent of the SABC.

Walter Sisulu dedicated more than half of his life to equal rights and opportunities for all South Africans. But he never sought any credit for his involvement or achievements. Instead, he paid a high price for his beliefs and vision. The apartheid authorities jailed him for more than 25 years in a bid to break his spirit and his grip on ordinary South Africans. Angie Kapelianis has been digging in the archives to trace Walter Sisulu's difficult, but rewarding journey.

Credits: Angie Kapelianis and the SABC Media Libraries.

© SABC 2020. No unauthorised use, copying, adaptation or reproduction permitted without prior written consent of the SABC.

Former president Nelson Mandela wasn't a brilliant orator like Winston Churchill, John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King or Barack Obama. But Mandela was one of the most quoted and influential people in the world. And he often got standing ovations without even saying a word. Such was the appreciation of his sacrifices, lack of retribution and commitment to democracy. When Mandela did speak, though, he measured his words, spoke confidently, and often disarmed everyone with his unique brand of humour. Angie Kapelianis highlights some of Nelson Mandela's classic sound bites in almost half a century from 1961 to 2009.

Credits: Angie Kapelianis, Danny Booysen, the SABC Media Library and ITN.

© SABC 2020. No unauthorised use, copying, adaptation or reproduction permitted without prior written consent of the SABC.

Nelson Mandela was an iconic brand and registered trademark. Mandela’s distinctive identity and values were regarded as a priceless, protected asset. At one stage, he was the second most widely recognised brand after Coca Cola.  For the first time in 2009, business and consumers overwhelmingly named Mandela as their “favourite personality” in the Sunday Times Top Brands Survey. Psychologist Megan de Beyer said Mandela was the “selfless...super-hero”. He was inspirational in showing love and mercy instead of hatred and cynicism for his suffering. Michelle Constant and Monique Stander compiled this feature on “Brand Mandela”.

Credits: Michelle Constant, Monique Stander, Angie Kapelianis, Danny Booysen and the SABC Media Library

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American philosopher and academic, Professor Cornel West, says former president Nelson Mandela was a “jazz and blues” man in South Africa's liberation struggle. West defines Mandela in terms of "the blue note". He says Mandela agonized and questioned in the struggle tradition.  But just like jazz musicians, Mandela also provided a glimmer of hope for a whole generation.

Credits: Angie Kapelianis, Chevon Erasmus, Danny Booysen and the SABC Media Library

This reflection includes the music of Charles Mingus, Billie Holiday, the late Miriam Makeba, Mahalia Jackson, as well as Earth, Wind and Fire.

© SABC 2020. No unauthorised use, copying, adaptation or reproduction permitted without prior written consent of the SABC.

Former president Nelson Mandela believed that sport had the power to change and unite the world like little else. Mandela once said: Sport “is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.” Although renowned as an amateur boxer, Mandela didn’t believe he was particularly talented. But his diligence and perseverance saw him succeed where many others would have given up. That and a touch of “Madiba Magic” are the legacies he's left for generations of athletes and sports fans. Janet Whitton looks at the power and value of sport in Nelson Mandela's life.

Credits: Janet Whitton, Angie Kapelianis and Danny Booysen

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Former president Nelson Mandela has left an indelible mark all over the world and in most people's hearts. Ordinary people single out his fight for freedom, lengthy imprisonment, lack of bitterness, political reforms and social advocacy as their main reasons for admiring him. Keith Sayster, Angie Kapelianis and Danny Booysen compiled this report, with contributions from some of the SABC's former foreign correspondents.

Credits: Keith Sayster, Angie Kapelianis, Danny Booysen, Thami Dickson, Page Kollock, Frank Ferro, Amina Accram and John Bailey.

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Former President Nelson Mandela bent over backwards to understand and embrace Afrikaans-speaking people. Mandela realised he would never be able to outmanoeuvre them politically unless he understood their mindset. Consequently, he developed a keen interest in their history, culture and language. He even studied their leaders and heroes, such as Koos de la Rey, Christiaan de Wet and Jan Smuts. So when the time came for Mandela to negotiate South Africa's democracy, he floored them with his knowledge and charm. Angie Kapelianis and Danny Booysen compiled this special report on Mandela and everything Afrikaans.

Credits: Angie Kapelianis, Danny Booysen , Freek Robinson and the SABC Media Libraries.

© SABC 2020. No unauthorised use, copying, adaptation or reproduction permitted without prior written consent of the SABC.

Nelson Mandela was already 75 years old when he voted for the first time in his life on the 27th of April 1994. On that day, black and white South Africans were finally allowed to stand in the same queue to elect a government of their choice. Mandela's decision to vote at the Ohlange High School at Inanda, north of Durban, was historically and politically strategic.  The school was founded by the ANC's first president and located in a province that had been torn apart by political violence between the ANC and the IFP. Mandla Zembe retraces some of Nelson Mandela's footsteps to and from Ohlange High.

Credits: Ismail Jinnah, Elize van  der Walt, Sikhumbuzo Mabizela, Sandile Ngidi, Angie Kapelianis and Danny Booysen.

© SABC 2020. No unauthorised use, copying, adaptation or reproduction permitted without prior written consent of the SABC.