African National Congress ( ANC ) President Nelson Mandela is photographed in the prison cell he occupied on Robben Island for much of his 27- year incarceration, February 11, 1994. Mandela's visit to the island, about 5 kilometers off Cape Town, South Africa, commemorated the anniversary of his release, on Sunday, February 11, 1990.

South African President Nelson Mandela congratulates his estranged wife Winnie December 21, 1994, after she was elected at the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC), during the 49th ANC's conference in the capital of the Orange Free State.

South African President Nelson Mandela dances on stage October 29 during a rally for 15,000 supporters of his African National Congress (ANC) in this black township south west of Johannesburg. Mandela, battling apathy among blacks, urges all South Africans to vote in elections this week to complete the transition to democracy.

The six top leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) gather for the press December 21, 1994, at the end of the ANC's 49th conference held in the capital of the Orange Free State. From L: Treasurer General Arnold Stofile, Deputy Secretary General Sheryl Carolus, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, President Nelson Mandela, Secretary General Cyril Ramaphosa and National Chairman Jacob Zuma.

South African President Nelson Mandela addresses a political rally in South Africa's most violent province April 20, 1996 and called for an end to "undeclared war" which is threatening to scupper local election due next month in Kwazulu-Natal

South African President Nelson Mandela (L) and American pop star Michael Jackson hug each other at the president's official home July 20, 1996. Jackson announced he was composing a song about South Africa's prisoner-turned-president Nelson Mandela.

President Nelson Mandela launches the African National Congress (ANC) manifesto for South Africa's first all-race municipal elections August 24, 1995, in Alexandra, one of the poorest townships around Johannesburg. Mandela asked voters to help the party deliver on his pre-election promises, when they go to the polls on November 1.

South African President Nelson Mandela holds a news conference December 14, 1994, th for the launch of his autobiography "Long Walk To Freedom.

African National Congress president Nelson Mandela greets children at a farm training project, January 31, 1994. Mandela was on the campaign trail in the western Transvaal province in the run up to South Africa's first non-racial elections, due to be held in April.