HE WAS one of the great statesman of the latter half of the 20th century. But Nelson Mandela was also a hugely significant cultural figure.

There were very real fears within government in 1982 that loyalists could launch a bombing campaign south of the border on the back of “inflammatory” comments by Ian Paisley.

THERE was one prerequisite for journalists reporting on Nelson Mandela in the heady and chaotic days after his release from 27 years in South African jails: A fast car.

South Africa’s finance minister resigned along with most leading Cabinet members today in the wake of president Thabo Mbeki’s departure.

South Africa marked the 30th anniversary today of the death of Steve Biko, the symbol of black resistance worldwide who was killed by apartheid police.

Nelson Mandela has celebrated his 89th birthday today with a star-studded football match and the launch of a humanitarian campaign, joined by former US President Jimmy Carter, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other elders of the global village.

ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu has warned that South Africa has failed to sustain the idealism that ended apartheid and its people seem to have lost their sense of right and wrong.

Beyonce Knowles, Bono, Peter Gabriel and musicians from around the world took to the stage tonight for a star-studded Aids benefit concert hosted by South Africa’s former president, Nelson Mandela.

Paul McCartney has written and recorded a song for Nelson Mandela’s Aids campaign, it was announced today.