Only 5 days to go and the world will celebrate the life and achievements of Nelson Mandela. Born on this day in 1918 in the Eastern Cape, the former political prisoner is honoured in numerous events and commemorations.
Mandela spent 27 years behind bars after being found guilty of treason. His crime: the fight for freedom and democracy. Together with political allies like Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and Ahmed Kathrada he lived on Robben Island in a cell of less than 6 square meters. It's difficult to imagine how one survives such an ordeal.
Over the years hundreds of thousands of people have visited Robben Island en Mandela's prison cell. Those who have not yet been there can have a bit of the experience in a virtual tour guided by Visumsi Mcongo, a political prisoner who served his term on the island between 1978 and 1990.
