As a nation and the world mourn the death of the political icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the Record takes a look at his life.
• 18 July 1918 — Born as the youngest son to a counsellor of the chief of his Thembu clan near Qunu in the Transkei
• 1944 — Along with Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo he forms the African National Youth League (ANCYL). Also the year that he marries his first wife Evelyn. They had a daughter and two sons but divorced in 1957
• 1952 — Arrested along with others under the Suppression of Communism Act but given a suspended prison sentence
• 1958 — Marries struggle icon Winnie Madikizela. They divorced in 1996
• 1960 — The Sharpeville massacre of black youths have a profound effect on the young Mandela.
• 1962 — Mandela travels to Morocco and Ethiopia for military training but the “Black Pimpernel”, as he is dubbed, is arrested on his return on charges of incitement and illegally leaving the country. He is sentenced for five years
• 1963 — While serving his sentence he is charged with conspiracy and sabotage
• 12 June 1964 — At the end of the famous Rivonia trial Mandela and seven others are sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island
• 2 February 1990 — Then president of South Africa, FW de Klerk lifts the ban on all liberation movements including the ANC
• 11 February 1990 — After 27 years in prison, Mandela walks out of the Victor Verster Prison a free man at last
• 1991 — Mandela is elected president of the ANC
• 1993 — Both Nelson Mandela and FW de Klwerk win the Nobel Peace Prize
• 27 – 29 April 1994 — The first racially free elections are held in South Africa
• 10 May 1994 — Inaugurated as the first black president of the Republic of South Africa
• 1997 — Hands over leadership of ANC to Thabo Mbeki
• 18 July 1998 — Celebrates his birthday by marrying Graca Machel
• 16 June 1999 — Thabo Mbeki becomes president
• 18 July 2007 — Launches a group consisting of elder statesmen to tackle HIV/Aids, poverty and other global problems
• 26 June 2008 — Mandela is erased from the US list of terrorists
• 9 May 2009 — Attends Jacob Zuma’s presidential inauguration
• 11 July 2010 — Attends Soccer World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain
• 8 June 2013 — Hospitalised in Pretoria for recurring lung infection
• 18 July 2013 — On his 95th birthday Madiba is discharged and taken to his Houghton home
• 5 December 2013 — Nelson Mandela dies at his Houghton home
