When Nelson Mandela was 76, he unexpectedly fell in love again. He met Graca Machel in 1990, five months after his release from prison when he travelled to Mozambique. After Graca Machel’s husband, Samora Machel, died in 1986, Mandela wrote a foreshadowing letter to her:
"Throughout the day we shall mourn with you a mighty soldier, courageous son, a noble statesman. We must believe that his death will strengthen your and our resolve to be finally free. … Our struggle has always been linked and we shall be victorious together."
After his divorce, in 1996, from activist Winnie Mandela, Nelson Mandela began to pursue Machel. They were both worried that their respective countries would not approve of a foreign partner, but nevertheless, they married on Mandela’s 80th birthday in 1998.
Pictured here is Madiba and Machel after the first part of their traditional Xhosa wedding.
Nelson Mandela returned to his home in Soweto after his release from prison in 1990. Nelson grew up in No. 8115 Vilakazi Street and has sinc...
Madiba laughs as his shoe comes off while kicking a soccer ball....
In 1991, Nelson Mandela received an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for his commitment to the country ...
Mandela and other activists had an array of supporters that came to the court each time defendants were summoned. Pictured is a young Madiba...