Nelson Mandela addresses spectators from the Balcony of the Town Hall, Cape Town

Hours after being release from prison, Nelson Mandela addresses spectators from the Balcony of the Town Hall, Cape Town.

Known and loved around the world for his commitment to peace, negotiation and reconciliation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was South Africa's first democratically elected president (1994-1999). Mandela was an anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader, as well as a philanthropist with an abiding love for children. Mandela was born into the Xhosa royal family on 18 July 1918 and died on 5 December 2013.