He died over a year ago but Nelson Mandela’s legacy continues unfettered.
Wednesday 11 February marks what would have been the 25th anniversary since was released from prison after a sentence of 27 years.
Bearing not a trace of bitterness or hatred against those who practised the evil of apartheid, he went on to become the first democratically-elected president of South Africa.
Mandela died on 5 December 2013, aged 95, but his life's work will live on in the hearts of many.
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Behind the Legend: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Nelson Mandela
1. Nelson’s two names(01 of10)
Though he is known simply and irrevocably as Nelson, the South African leader went by two other names: Rolihlahla and Madiba. Rolhilahla is Nelson’s given name, and translated roughly to “troublemaker.” Madiba is Mandela’s clan name and is somewhat more casually used and interchangeable. (credit:Wikimedia Commons)
2. Nelson Mandela Day(02 of10)
July 18th is Nelson Mandela day, which also happens to be Madiba’s birthday. On that day, people are asked to spend 67 minutes helping someone else in need. The length of time is meant to represent the 67 years Mandela spent serving South Africa. (credit:Getty Images)
3. Mandela’s work on women’s rights(03 of10)
Mandela treated women’s issues on the same level as any human rights issue. He frequently spoke out about many of the injustices facing women in South Africa (abuse, rape) and sought out a way for them to be solved collectively rather than still be seen as an issue women had to deal with on their own. He often spoke of the need for more women in the South African government. (credit:Getty Images)
4. Mandela was expelled from university (04 of10)
In the second year of his attendance at Fort Hare for a civil service clerical position, Mandela resigned from his student leadership position because of the lack of care of food and concerns of the Student Representative Council. He was called an insubordinate for his decision and given an ultimatum to conform but was ultimately expelled . (credit:Wikimedia Commons)
5. Strength through poetry(05 of10)
Mandela famously found strength during his time in prison from the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley. (credit:Getty Images)
6. Mandela ran away from home(06 of10)
When Madiba was 19 years old, weeks after he had come home from his school expulsion, he was set to have an arranged marriage. Mandela felt trapped and ran away from home, eventually settling in Johannesburg. (credit:Wikimedia Commons)
7. Mandela’s eyesight (07 of10)
Because of the harsh working conditions while he as imprisoned, Mandela eyesight was permanently damaged from the glare of the sun while he did hard labour. (credit:Wikimedia Commons)
8. Mandela earned a bachelor’s degree while still in prison (08 of10)
Before Mandela was imprisoned, he had begun to study law at the University of Witwatersrand through correspondence. But that wouldn’t be the end of his law studies: Mandela enrolled in the University of London’s correspondence program and received a Bachelor of Law degree, all while he was still in prison. (credit:Wikimedia Commons)
9. Mandela contracted illnesses while imprisoned(09 of10)
One of the more notable sicknesses Madiba dealt with during his days of imprisonment was tuberculosis. (credit:Getty Images)
10. Stevie Wonder dedicated his Oscar to Mandela(10 of10)
In 1985, Stevie Wonder won the Oscar for his song "I Just Called To Say I Love You" and dedicated it to Nelson Mandela. (credit:Getty Images)