Nelson Mandela: Freedom

February 11, 1990 is in the history books as the day the tide turned for South Africa, Nelson Mandela was granted his freedom. Four years later, on May, 10 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first president of the democratic South Africa.

 

Two years later, in 1996, Madiba and his second wife Winnie Madikizela Mandela divorced.

 

In 1998, on his 80th birthday, Mandela married Graca Machel, the widow of former Mozambican leader Samorra Machel. Moments after they exchanged wedding rings, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and 2,000 guests sang for President Mandela at his star-studded birthday bash in Johannesburg.

 

Graca slovingly stood by Madiba’s side since, providing love and support and helping him successfully overcome prostate cancer in 2001.

 

VIDEO: Inauguration of Nelson Mandela (Cape Town, South Africa 9 May 1994)