Biography

Mandela in retirement (1999-)

Mandela retired from active political life in June 1999 after his first term of office as president. He was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki, who had been elected ANC president in 1997. Mandela has continued to play an active role in mediating conflicts around the world. In 2000 he was appointed mediator in the war torn, Burundi, a mission he accomplished with applause.

Mandela has a son and a daughter from his first marriage to Evelyn Ntoko Mase, a nurse, whom he divorced in 1957. Their third child Thembi was killed in a car accident. In 1958 he married Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela, from whom he separated in 1996 and divorced in that year after a marriage of 38 years. They have two daughters. He has eighteen grandchildren. On his eightieth birthday on 18 July 1998 he married Graca Machel.

In 2003 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He has devoted a large amount of his time to raising funds for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. In November 2003 an Aids concert was held to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation , the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and global Aids organisations. International stars responded to Mandela's call and the concert was called Nelson Mandela's 46664 Global Aids initiative. 46664 was Mandela’s prisoner number during his 27 years of incarceration. In 2005, in an attempt to destigmatise HIV and AIDS, he came out openly to announce that his son Makgatho, from his first wife Evelyn Mase, had died of AIDS.

Evelyn Mase died on 4 April 2004 and Mandela cut short his overseas trip to attend her funeral. On 10 May 2004 Mandela addressed a joint sitting of parliament in celebrating 10 years of democracy. Throughout the months of April and May, Mandela lobbied intensely in support of South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 World Cup. According to him, it was going to be a befitting present for the 10 years of democracy. On 15 May 2004 he was in Zurich, Switzerland when South Africa was awarded the right to host the 2010 soccer showpiece. For the first time Mandela cried openly at the achievement. He said he felt like a 15 –year old boy and the memory would live with him forever. On 1 June 2004 Mandela announced that he was bowing out of public life to lead a quieter life, issuing the now famous statement to those who would require his presence at their functions Don't call me, I'll call You. Though retired from public life, Mandela carried the Olympic torch on Robben Island on 14 June 2004 on its first journey on African soil since the inception of the Olympic Games.

Mandela is a recipient of numerous awards and honours both within South Africa and abroad. The continual invitation to him to receive more awards and honours prompted him to publicly urge that other leaders in the struggle to liberate and democratise South Africa that should be recognised and honoured like him.

His 88th birthday celebrations on 18 July 2006 kicked off with a new round of honours, including a photo exhibit and the release of a book called The Meaning of Mandela during the week before his birthday. The event was meant to be part of a series of three, which the Nelson Mandela Foundation would be conducting to celebrate Madiba's birthday, according to Jakes Gerwel, chairman of the foundation's board. The photo exhibition by South African veterans Alf Khumalo and Jurgen Schadeberg capture Mandela's years as a young lawyer and the emergence of Black resistance before he was jailed for 27 years in 1964 and includes photographs of his family.

Events to celebrate the birthday of the ageing statesman that year also included a ceremony to present him and fellow graduates of Fort Hare University with honorary rings, as well as the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, to be delivered by South African President Thabo Mbeki. However, he did spend some quiet time with his family. Gifts for his birthday were countless. Among the notable ones were cigars and rum from his old friend, President Fidel Castro of Cuba. Although, he has since retired from active politics and cut down on functions, Mandela still campaigns for health and educational issues through the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

On 18 July 2008 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela will turn 90 and the country and the world is organising events in celebration of the life of one of history’s greatest revolutionary leaders and peacemakers.

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