Cashing in on Mandela, 20 years after freedom

Interactive graphic on the life of Nelson Mandela as South Africa celebrates the 20th anniversary of the release from jail after 27 years of the man who later became the first president of the post-apartheid era.

Prominent South Africans gathered at a prison outside Cape Town Thursday to fete the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from jail, which hastened the demise of apartheid.At a breakfast organised by the ruling party's former anti-apartheid activists, tycoon and veteran activist Cyril Ramaphosa said Mandela was serene as he prepared to walk free.

South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela invited one of his former jailers to help mark the 20th anniversary of his release from prison at a special dinner.The Nobel Peace Prize winner spent 27 years in prison under white-minority apartheid rule, mainly on the notorious Robben Island near Cape Town. His release on February 11, 1990, set South Africa on the path to democracy.

South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela invited one of his former jailers to help mark the 20th anniversary of his release from prison at a special dinner.The Nobel Peace Prize winner spent 27 years in prison under white-minority apartheid rule, mainly on the notorious Robben Island near Cape Town. His release on February 11, 1990, set South Africa on the path to democracy.

Nelson Mandela will make a rare public appearance Thursday to hear South Africa's state-of-the-nation address, 20 years after his release from apartheid prison triggered the fall of white rule.The 91-year-old will take centre stage when he arrives in parliament around 7:00pm (1700 GMT), his only public commemoration of the day in 1990 when he emerged from 27 years behind bars.His ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, one of the first to welcome him on his release, will re-enact his historic walk from a prison outside Cape Town, the ruling African National Congress said.

Josephine Mji was a teenager when Nelson Mandela walked out of prison 20 years ago. South Africa's fortunes have soared since then, but the mother of three is still struggling to escape poverty and enjoy her freedom."When Mandela was released, everyone believed that we had conquered, but look at where we are now. I have nothing to call mine," said Mji, selling fruits on the sidewalks in an affluent Johannesburg suburb."So long as I am still struggling, have no job or home, nothing has changed, freedom has not brought any change in my life," the 35-year-old said.

A grief-stricken Nelson Mandela pulled out of the World Cup opening on Friday after the death of his great granddaughter cast a tragic shadow over the start of the world's biggest sporting event.Thirteen-year-old Zenani Mandela was killed in a car that overturned in Johannesburg as it took her home from a spectacular eve of tournament concert in Soweto. South African police said the driver was drunk."Mr Nelson Mandela this morning learned of the tragic death in an accident of his great-granddaughter," said a statement from the former president's foundation.

Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, turns 92 years old on Sunday, as the world celebrates the first international day in his honour.Global leaders and ordinary people in South Africa and abroad have committed to devoting 67 minutes of their time to community service, to mark the number of years Mandela spent in politics.His birthday was in 2009 recognised by the United Nations as "Nelson Mandela International Day" and will be celebrated across the world.The increasingly frail leader is spending the day with family at his Johannesburg home.