The councillors of Brent came to a unanimous vote to present the award to Nelson Mandela. He is only the second person to have ever received the honour.

The immediate after-effect of the adoption of the Freedom Charter was increasing paranoia in the Apartheid state. As Chief Albert Luthuli said of the Treason Trial which came shortly thereafter: “That grim pre-dawn raid, deliberately calculated to strike terror into hesitant minds and impress upon the entire nation the determination of the governing clique to stifle all opposition, made one hundred and fifty-six of us, belonging to all the races of our land, into a group of accused facing one of the most serious charges in any legal system.”

Madiba’s relative believes that the current government has failed South Africans and wants to join the opposition party.

Sensitive negotiations are taking place between the South African High Commission and UK authorities concerning a potential memorial service for Nelson Mandela at Westminster Abbey when the time comes – a move that would make him the first non-Briton to be honoured in such a way.

The Eastern Cape villages of Qunu and Mvezo are in the spotlight as battle commences between Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla and the rest of his family about where to bury Madiba.

A portrait of Nelson Mandela by South African artist Conor Mccreedy has disappeared from a New York storage space.

Nelson Mandela’s family complained about international media invading their privacy as reporters are camping outside the hospital in Pretoria, where the former leader fights for his life

Nelson Mandela is now in a critical but stable condition, says the Presidency.

Whilst wishing Mandela a full recovery we can, and indeed must, use this opportunity to talk about the importance of palliative care — a taboo across much of the world including most of Africa, writes Steve Hynd from the African PalliativeCare Association

The Freedom Charter was drafted by Rusty Bernstein, calling for the creation of a democratic, non-racialist state with the nationalisation of major industry. When the charter was adopted at a June 1955 conference in Kliptown attended by 3000 delegates, police cracked down on the event, but it remained a key part of Mandela’s ideology.

With Nelson Mandela critically ill in hospital, fresh rumours that race riots in South Africa will erupt when he dies have been described as ‘ridiculous’ and a betrayal of Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation.

As former South African president Nelson Mandela spends his third day in a critical condition, his relatives gather in his hometown Qunu to “discuss delicate matters”

On this day, 18 years ago, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup on home turf. But even more important than the score, was what the game had meant for a newly-healing South Africa under the guidance of its first black president: Nelson Mandela – the ultimate Springbok.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s condition has deteriorated, with the Presidency saying he is now in a critical condition in hospital.

Nelson Mandela’s Living Legacy | With the involvement of the South African Indian Congress, the Coloured People’s Congress, the South African Congress of Trade Unions and the Congress of Democrats, the ANC planned a Congress of the People, calling on all South Africans to send in proposals for a post-apartheid era.

“We have felt the closeness of the world and the deepest meaning of strength and peace. Our gratitude is difficult to express. But the love and peace we feel give yet more life to the simple Thank you!”

As the world once again holds its breath for news of the revered statesman’s health, there have been calls to face up to the reality that Mandela is an old and frail man.

Mandela took Alfred Xuma’s place on the ANC National Executive in March 1950. That month, the Defend Free Speech Convention was held in Johannesburg, bringing together African, Indian and communist activists to call an anti-apartheid general strike.

In July 1947, Nelson Mandela rushed Anton Lembede to hospital, where he died; he was succeeded as ANCYL president by the more moderate Peter Mda, who agreed to cooperate with communists and non-blacks, appointing Mandela ANCYL secretary.

First preview of the adaptation of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography at Cannes Film Festival

Someone placed a South African scarf around the Mandela statue statue in Parliament Square the night after is unveiling in 2007, only to be taken as a tourist souvenir some months later. Last week the Madiba sculpture got his accessory back…

Young Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela attends a missionary school, like all high-born Thembu boys of his age. However, his life changes when the Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo takes him up to his Great Place to become a royal ward.

After moving to Berlin, like many expats, Cheri MacNeil became embarrassed by questions she couldn’t answer about South Africa. This inspired her to research her own history, and ultimately resulted in Dear Reader’s third and most deeply personal album, Rivonia.