Nelson Mandela – a life in photos

NELSON Mandela was the most famous prisoner in the world. Then South Africa saw sense and the light. The country’s white leaders let him go. He became a global superstar. Celebrities formed a line outside his lounge to meet him. Heads of State swooned – including some nasty characters. Nelson met them all evenly:

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FILE -in this Sept. 15 1990 file photo, The burning body of a man identified as a Zulu Inkatha supporter is clubbed by followers of the rival African National Congress during factional violence in Soweto, South Africa. Against all odds, the party of Nelson Mandela which has transformed a nation where just 20 years ago black South Africans could not vote, and beaches and restaurants were reserved for whites only, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in Bloemfontein Sunday Jan 8 2012.(AP Photo/Greg Marinovich, File)