remembering greatness: happy birthday, madiba

Remembering Greatness: Happy Birthday, Madiba

Music: Stevie Wonder " I Just Called To Say I Love You"In 1985, Stevie Wonder won the Oscar for his song "I Just Called To Say I Love You" and dedicated it to Nelson Mandela.

Remembering "Madiba“

Nelson Mandela raises a clenched fist to supporters in Mmabatho, South Africa, upon his arrival for his first election rally, March 15, 1994.

The anti-apartheid fighter who spent 27 years as a political prisoner before becoming his nation's first democratic leader - and first black president - died at home in Johannesburg on Thursday, December 5, 2013. He was 95.

South African President Jacob Zuma announced Mandela's death in an address to the nation, saying, "We've lost our greatest son."

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, into a royal family of the Xhosa-speaking Thembu tribe in the South African village of Mvezo. While studying law as a young man, he became involved in the movement against racial discrimination, forging key relationships with black and white activists and in 1944 he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and helped establish its youth league, the ANCYL. Mandela’s commitment to activism intensified after the 1948 introduction of the apartheid. 

1957Nelson Mandela and his second wife, Winnie, at their wedding in 1957. This copy was taken from the family album; the original was by Alf Khumalo.

1961

A 1961 photo of Nelson Mandela, then 42 years old. The son of a minor chieftain, Mandela took his degree in law at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and embarked on a career as political activist.

Visit to London: Nelson Mandela visited the capital of the UK in 1962 to visit Oliver Tambo - a fellow anti-apartheid activist - visible in the background is the Big Ben clocktower and the Houses of Parliament

1964Eight men - among them anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress member Nelson Mandela - leave the Palace of Justice in Pretoria on June 16, 1964 with their fists raised in defiance through the barred windows of the prison car, after being sentenced to life imprisonment. The eight men were accused of conspiracy, sabotage and treason.

1988Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, standing with her grandson Ntsika, addresses a 70th birthday commemoration for the jailed anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, in Johannesburg July 18, 1988.

1990A young man holds up a newspaper announcing that the African National Congress is "unbanned," February 2, 1990, during a demonstration of anti-Apartheid marchers in Cape Town demanding the release of all political prisoners in South Africa.

1990South African National Congress (ANC) President Nelson Mandela, center, and his then-wife, Winnie, raise their fists on Feb. 11, 1990, in Paarl, South Africa, to salute cheering crowd upon Mandela's release from Victor Verster prison.

African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela waves after he and U.S. President George Bush made remarks on the South Lawn of the White House June 25, 1990 - the support of the US public was key in securing his release

In this June 15, 1990 file photo, Pope John Paul II shakes hands with Nelson Mandela, deputy leader of African National Congress, during a private audience at the Vatican

South African anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela (R) shaking hands with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on the steps of No 10 Downing Street in July 1990

1991Nelson Mandela and his wife, Winnie, arrive at a rally marking the end of the African National Congress' first national congress inside South Africa on July 7, 1991.

1991Nelson Mandela and his wife, Winnie, arrive at a rally marking the end of the African National Congress' first national congress inside South Africa on July 7, 1991.

The future president along with Swedish Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson of Sweden in 1990.

1992Zinzi Mandela, left, and her father, South African National Congress President Nelson Mandela, smile on Oct. 26, 1992, in Soweto, South Africa, after Zinzi married businessman Zweli Hlongwane

1993African National Congress President Nelson Mandela greets supporters behind the fence in a mining town of Randfontein, west of Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 25, 1993. Mandela toured the area as part of his campaign for the April 27, 1994, election.

1993Nelson Mandela, president of South African African National Congress, center, and South African President Frederik de Klerk, right, display their Nobel Prizes on Dec. 9, 1993, in Oslo, Norway, after being awarded jointly for their work to end apartheid peacefully. De Klerk shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela for their efforts in securing a peaceful transition from apartheid rule.

1994South Africa's President Nelson Mandela, left, stands at attention as the national anthem is played during his inauguration at the Union Building in Pretoria on May 10, 1994. Pictured on his left is his daughter Zinani.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and President Nelson Mandela during the British monarch's state visit to South Africa in 1995, a year after Mandela took office in 1994

1995South African President President Nelson Mandela visits his former cell in notorious Robben Island prison off the coast of Cape Town, where he spent 19 of his 27 years in jail, on Feb. 10, 1995.

1995Springbok captain Francois Pienaar, right, receives the Rugby World Cup from South African President Nelson Mandela at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 24, 1995. South Africa won the final against New Zealand 15-12 after extra time. Events leading up to the championship were depicted in Clint Eastwood's 2009 film, "Invictus," starring Matt Damon as Pienaar and Morgan Freeman as Mandela.

1995Pope John Paul II and South African President Nelson Mandela talk on Sept. 16, 1995, at the presidential guest house in Pretoria. The pontiff visited Cameroon, South Africa, and Nairobi for the conclusion of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

In this Aug. 22, 1996 file photo, the Dalai Lama, left, walks hand-in-hand with South African President Nelson Mandela prior to an official reception at the presidential office in Cape Town, South Africa

Royal reception: In this July 9, 1996 file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela stands with Queen Elizabeth II on his arrival at Buckingham Palace in London for a state banquet in his honor

South African president Nelson Mandela shares a joke with Prince Charles, his grandchildren and members of British pop group Spice Girls at his residence in Pretoria, 01 November 1997.

South African President Nelson Mandela shares a joke with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates after their meeting at Mandela's residence in Cape Town, in this file picture taken March 11, 1997

Two Icons: In this March 17, 1997 file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela, left, shows the way to Britain's Princess Diana in Cape Town, South Africa, where they discussed the threat of AIDS in the country

1998South African President Nelson Mandela shows his degree certificate to a large crowd at Harvard University in Boston after receiving an honorary degree on Sept. 18, 1998. Mandela is on an official visit in North America and will go to the United Nations, New York, Washington and Canada.

In this March 27, 1998 file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela, left, and U.S. President Bill Clinton peer through the bars of prison cell No. 5, the cramped, gray cell where Mandela was jailed

In this Aug. 11, 1998 file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela, (right), and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat gesture during a meeting in Cape Town, South Africa

South African Nobel Peace Prize winner and iconic political prisoner Nelson Mandela (R) with Cuban President Fidel Castro at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the GATT Agreement in 1998

1999Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi, right, flashes the "V" sign as he stands with South African President Nelson Mandela on March 19, 1999, at the end of their speeches at the Libyan parliament in Tripoli.

Iconic figures: South African President Nelson Mandela, left, and American pop singer Michael Jackson arrive at a news conference in Cape Town in 1999

1999President Bill Clinton, right, and former South African President Nelson Mandela shake hands during their meeting on Oct. 21, 1999, in the Oval office of the White House in Washington.

2001Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair greets former South African president Nelson Mandela, left, outside 10 Downing Street in London on April 30, 2001. Mandela is visiting Britain on a three-day tour.

Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, right, speaks during a press conference alongside British model Naomi Campbell in Barcelona, Spain, before the 'Frock and Roll' benefit concert in 2001

2002Irish rock star Bono, right, and former South African president Nelson Mandela are pictured after meeting at Mandela's home in Johannesburg on May 25, 2002. Bono and U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill were in the country on the second leg of their African tour to highlight the need for development aid to the world's poorest continent.

2003Nelson Mandela makes a speech at the "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert at Greenpoint Stadium on Nov. 29, 2003, in Cape Town, South Africa. The concert will benefit the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the fight against AIDS in Africa. The number refers to Mandela's status as Prisoner 46664 during his years in the South African penal system.

2004South African actress Charlize Theron wipes away tears as she meets former South African President Nelson Mandela at Mandela House on March 11, 2004, in Johannesburg, South Africa, following her best actress win at that year's Academy Awards.

2004Nelson Mandela holds the Olympic Flame on Robben Island during Day 9 of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay on June 12, 2004, in Cape Town, South Africa.

2005President George W. Bush, right, meets with former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in the Oval Office of the White House on May 17, 2005, in Washington. Mandela was on an official visit to the U.S. seeking support for the Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust, which supports African-based charities.

2007Ex-South African President Nelson Mandela addresses the crowd during a statue unveiling ceremony in his honor at Parliament Square on Aug. 29, 2007, in London. The statue, depicting Nelson Mandela delivering a speech by sculptor Ian Walters, is 9 feet high, made of bronze and faces the Houses of Parliament.

2007Actor Morgan Freeman, left, and Nelson Mandela attend the Unite for a Better World Gala Dinner on Sept. 2, 2007, at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Freeman portrayed Mandela in the 2009 film "Invictus," earning an Oscar nomination for the role.

2007Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela poses with the Webb-Ellis cup and the South Africa Springboks team, wearing HIV AIDS awareness campaign t-shirts during the Springboks visit to Nelson Mandela at his residence on Oct. 27, 2007, in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

2008Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, right, meets former South African President Nelson Mandela at Buckingham Palace in London on June 25, 2008. The meeting was part of a week-long visit marking the former South African president's 90th birthday.

2008Nelson Mandela is seen onstage during the 46664 Concert in Celebration of Nelson Mandela's Life held at Hyde Park in London on June 27, 2008. The number refers to Mandela's status as Prisoner 46664 during his years in the South Africa penal system.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela laughs during his meeting with Conservative Party leader David Cameron at The Dorchester in central London. 2008

2008Former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel, share a laugh behind his birthday cake, a gift from the staff in honor of his 90th birthday at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Aug. 5, 2008, in Houghton, South Africa. Graca Machel is Mandela's third wife; his two previous marriages ended in divorce.

2009Rwandan President Paul Kagame meets former South African President Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on March 20, 2009, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Presidential favourite Jacob Zum ahelps former South African president Nelson Mandela at the end of an African National Congress (ANC) election rally in Johannesburg on April 19, 2009.

2009A child kisses Nelson Mandela during the launch of a children's hospital in Johannesburg, July 31, 2009.

2010Nelson Mandela, seated, is reunited with The Elders, from left, Graca Machel, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, Kofi Annan, Gro Brundtland, Martti Ahtisaari, Ela Bhatt and Lakhdar Brahimi on May 29, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mandela, who founded The Elders in 2007 to be "a fiercely independent and robust force for good," met members of the group at a private lunch.

2011First lady Michelle Obama, left, sits with former South African President Nelson Mandela, at his home, in Houghton, South Africa, on June 21, 2011.

2010Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel, smile and wave to the crowd ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Nelson Mandela and Stevie Wonder in Durban, South Africa in 1998. In 1985, Stevie Wonder won the Oscar for his song "I Just Called To Say I Love You" and dedicated it to Nelson Mandela.

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Stevie Wonder " I Just Called To Say I Love You"

No new year's day to celebrateno chocolate covered candy hearts to give awayno first of springno song to singin fact here's just another ordinary dayNo april rainno flowers bloomno wedding saturday within the month of junebut what it is, is something truemade up of these three words that i must say to youi just called to say i love youi just called to say how much i carei just called to say i love youand i mean it from the bottom of my heartNo summer's highno warm julyno harvest moon to light one tender august nightno autumn breezeno falling leavesnot even time for birds to fly to southern skiesNo libra sunno halloweenno giving thanks to all the christmas joy you bringbut what it is, though old so newto fill your heart like no three words could ever doi just called to say i love youi just called to say how much i care, i doi just called to say i love youand i mean it from the bottom of my hearti just called to say i love youi just called to say how much i care, i doi just called to say i love youand i mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart,of my hearti just called to say i love youi just called to say how much i care, i doi just called to say i love youand i mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart,baby of my heart