Nelson Mandela - the life

"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to see realized. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." -Nelson Mandela, 20 April 1964

A young Mandela in 1937, at the age of 19.

Mandela's first wife, Evelyn Mase, married 1943 to 1957.

Mandela as young attorney in his office at Tambo & Mandela, 1952 to 1956.

Mandela and his second wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela on their wedding day. Married 1958 to 1996.

Mandela, Winnie and their daughter Zindzi.

Mandela and Walter Sisulu on Robben Island, late 1964.

Nelson Mandela released on 11 February 1990 after spending 27 years in prison.

Mandela being greeted by Winnie and Walter Sisulu after his release from prison in 1990.

Mandela and FW de Klerk at Tuynhuis on 4 May 1990, known as the historical "Groote Schuur Minute".

Mandela casting his vote in the first democratic elections in 1994.

Mandela being sworn in as president on 10 May 1994.

Mandela congratulating Francois Pienaar at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel, married on his 80th birthday in 1998.

Mandela with Thabo Mbeki who succeeded him as president in 1999. Photo taken at Thabo Mbeki's inauguration.

Nelson Mandela with Charlize Theron, who won an Academy Award in 2004.

Mandela scores 89!

	‘An extraordinary person’

Team player

Brazilian soccer legend, Pele, and three-time African player of the year, Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, yesterday delivered a special birthday gift to former president Nelson Mandela.

The players are among 50 past and present international stars taking part in a soccer friendly – 90 Minutes for Mandela – to mark the iconic leader’s 89th birthday today.

A beaming Mandela received an official shirt for the match with his name and the number 89 on the back.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this tribute. But it must always be remembered that I was one of many who fought for freedom from tyranny and racism,” Mandela said.

The match, to be played in Cape Town tonight, will pit an African side against a rest-of-the-world team.“I have met a lot of great personalities in my life, but Nelson Mandela is an extraordinary person. I am really touched and honoured to lead the Rest of the World team in this match. I am a big admirer of what this man has achieved in his life,” Pele said.

Mandela praised world soccer controlling body Fifa for honouring the Makana Football Association, which was formed by political prisoners on Robben Island, where he was incarcerated for 18 of the 27 years he spent in jail.

Mandela used to watch the games from his cell until prison authorities built a wall to cut him off.

Fifa vice president Jack Warner will confer honorary membership on the Makana Association ahead of tonight’s match.

“During the dark years of our incarceration, the association drew together all the prisoners on the island around the beautiful game of soccer.

“In this way it helped uphold the values of tolerance, inclusiveness, reconciliation, non-racialism and peace that are still dear to all of us today,” Mandela said.

Mandela also discussed a number of topics, including the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, during a private meeting with the players and Fifa and local soccer representatives at the Nelson Mandela Foundation offices in Johannesburg.

Beckham - the brand

Finally it'd been concluded - ol' David will be plying his trade in the US. When the move was first announced, it caused quite a stir of emotions, mostly befuddled, by the then Real Madrid midfielder. Most of knew he was "unhappy at Madrid " and due to leave but the US was the last

league we thought he'd play for. Alas! LA Galaxy. *Who?* Yep. Who? Remember Freddy Adu? *who?* The teenage Ghananian- born and US citizenship-adopted ball wizard who was dubbed the next Pele? (i've lost count how many new Pele's there are now) Well he's been playing in the US since he was like 15, professionally and that's where it has been for a while. Personally i got nothing against the US "peeps" but soccer is not one of their strongholds.

I believe had Freddy applied his skills say in any European league things would have turned for the better. The MLS has stunded the African boy's growth and value. Back to Becks. Honestly the MLS has gotten better but it's not as competitive as say one of the North African leagues. Becks move was purely a monerary one. He'll make more money off the field than on it. This is one oke who got branding down to a tee. He's aware he's got pulling power, commercial sports companies wants to be associated with him.He makes a killing off endorsement deals. Such is a craze : Becks.

The 31-year-old former England captain will sign a five-year deal, reportedly worth £128m after being bought by Madrid from Manchaster United in 2003 for £50m.
The £128m deal is understood to comprise his salary, existing sponsorship contracts, merchandising shirt sales and a share of the club profits! Crazy. Galaxy needs his crowd pulling power. It's a given : full stadia at all Galaxy home games and when playing away - the home fans will want to catch a glimpse of him all this at a price.

I hope his improves the standard and quality of soccer in the US.

For now, we just have to see how many he'll bend into the net.

Muhsin ready for Vodacom Challenge

Chiefs are ready for Pirates and Tottenham Hotspur in the Vodacom Challenge Coaching Kaizer Chiefs can be a bliss or a nightmare but coach Muhsin Ertrugral who returns as a clever and more street-wise man said he will be in the Vodacom Challenge to make his statement clear.

The reigning champions who walloped both Orlando Pirates and English champions Manchester United last year are looking forward to another intense battle when this term’s edition involve Pirates and Tottenham Hotspur also from England.

With two players already chosen and having gauge who he wants for the next season, the Turkish-born mentor said Chiefs glory days are back with a swagger.

“It is about time that we make our intensions clear. Last season I watched this team struggling and having been part of this big ambitious side, it was really disheartening. But I am here now and we will start with the

Vodacom Challenge. It won’t be easy but I want it badly. The fans want it, and so is the management. So we

have so much to play for”.

“Tottenham are bringing their best team so we must be prepared. It is a national pride that we must win and I urge my players to show what they are made of”.

English Barclays Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur will be going for goals, with super strikers Dimitar Berbatov, Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and new signing Darren Bent, included in the 25-member playing squad, that will compete against inaugural title winners Orlando Pirates and defending champions Kaizer Chiefs for the coveted Vodacom Challenge trophy in South Africa in a fortnight.