The Legend and the Legacy

Nelson Rolilahla Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013), South Africa's first elected black President, rose from the fiery anti-apartheid activist who shaped his nation's long, bloody struggle for independence to an internationally feted champion of human rights. Mandela's life is the stuff of legends. He left behind an amazing legacy, one that the world celebrates in diverse ways.

In November 2009, United Nations officialy declared 18 July, Mandela's birthday, as Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day).

Mandela Books

A host of books written over the years keep alive the fascinating, colourful and often tormented life of Nelson Mandela. Here's a quick sampling:

What better way to explore his extraordinary personality and political journey than through his own writing? Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom (1994) was an election eve publication and is notable for his deeply sincere commitment to a just and fair regime for all South Africans.

Mandela: The Authorized Biography is replete with detailed information. The author, journalist Anthony Sampson, was a close associate of Mandela.

To fully understand Mandela's legacy against South Africa's historical background, read Francis Wilson's compelling Dinosaurs, Diamonds & Democracy: A Short, Short History of South Africa.

Sarah Groves' A Prisoner in the Garden is a visual documentation of Mandela's 27 years long imprisonment on Robben Island with extracts from his writings.

A picture book version of Mandela's autobiography and Nelson Mandela: the Authorised Comic Book introduces children to Mandela's life, his political career and achievements.

Mandela Memorabilia

Over the years, the South African Mint has issued many coins to honour the great leader:

• The 1994 coin issued to mark Mandela's inauguration as President.
• The 2000 'smiling Mandela' coin
• The 2008 birthday coin, commemorating Mandela's 90th birthday.

Currency notes and coins featuring Nelson Mandela are available on Bob Shop, as are Mandela medallions, crafted in gold, silver, brass, bronze. Apart from these Mandela collectibles, there are Mandela paintings, signed Mandela photographs, books and other items.

Mandela Quotes

Long after Madiba's time, and ours, his words will live on, arguably the greatest treasure from his legacy. I leave you with some inspiring Mandela quotes:

• I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
• For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
• There is no such thing as part freedom.
• There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.