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Today is Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday. Mandela was the first democratically elected president of South Africa, former political prisoner, leader of the African National Congress, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and internationally renowned symbol of the struggle of black resistance to apartheid. After spending 27 years in prison on Robben Island, Mandela was freed and soon after, elected to the nation’s highest office. Nine years ago he retired and was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki. Mandela’s personal history is the history of a nation built on racial segregation, and the successful struggle of oppressed blacks to take back power. He has won over 100 awards over the last four decades. His historic evolution from being labeled a terrorist to winning the Nobel Peace Prize is symbolic of anti-colonial freedom movements all over the Global South. Incidentally, U.S. lawmakers finally erased references to Mandela as a terrorist from national databases less than a month ago. South Africans are spending this entire year celebrating his 90th birthday.

This story features:

– an excerpt from the award winning audio documentary, Mandela: An Audio History hosted by Desmond Tutu, produced by Joe Richman and Sue Johnson (more information at www.mandelahistory.org).

– an excerpt from the recording of an event featuring Nelson Mandela at the Oakland Coliseum, 30 June 1990, during a tour of the United States, shortly after he was released from prison. This recording is preserved in the Pacifica Radio Archives (and can be ordered through 1800-735-0230). Featuring Harry Belafonte, former Oakland Congressman, now its mayor, and former longshoreman, Ron Dellums, and Nelson Mandela himself.