mandela and declerk were awarded the nobel peace prize in 1993. the following year in the first mixed race election in south africa's history, nelson mandela was electedsident. >> today is the day like no other before it. >> reporter: we were the first to interview him on that first morning as president-elect. mandela tempered south africa's joy when he said healing his country would take time. >> it cannot be done overnight. it will take one year, two years, even as much as five years. >> reporter: from enemy of the state to head of state, nelson mandela's walk to freedom became a journey shared by his entire nation. >> i have never been so excited and hopeful in my life in south africa as i am now. >> reporter: years later nelson mandela paid a return visit to his former prison cell. this time accompanied by president bill clinton, who later presented him with a congressional gold medal. mandela stepped down as president in 1999, but he lived long enough to see america swear in its own first black president, and he was paid a visit many south africa by first lady michelle obama who brought along her daughters. nelson mandela's south africa embraced

mandela and declerk were awarded the nobel peace prize in 1993. the following year in the first mixed race election in south africa's history, nelson mandela was electedresident. >> today is a day like no other before it. >> reporter: we were the first to interview him on that first morning as president elect. mandela tempered south africa's joy when he said healing his country would take time. >> it cannot be done overnight. it is going to take a year, two years, even as much as five years. >> reporter: from enemy of the state to head of state, nelson mandela's walk to freedom became journey shared by his entire nation. >> i have never been so excited and hopeful in my life in south africa as i am now. >> reporter: years later, nelson mandela paid a return visit to his former prison cell. this time accompanied by president bill clinton who later presented him with the congressional gold medal. mandela stepped down as president in 1999, but he lived long enough to see the united states elect its own first black president. >> so help me god. >> reporter: and in 2011, he was paid a visit in south africa by first lady michelle obama who brought along fir

mandela and de klerk were awarded the nobel peace prize in 1993p. the following year in the first mixed race election in south africa's history nelson mandela was electednt. >> today is a day like no other before it. >> reporter: we were the first to interview him on that first morning as president elect. mandela tempered south africa's joy when he said healing his country would take time. >> it cannot be done overnight. it is going to take a year, two years, even as much as five years. so help me god. >> reporter: from enemy of the state to head of state, nelson mandela's walk to freedom became a journey shared by his entire nation. >> i have never been so excited and hopeful in my life in south africa as i am now. >> reporter: years later, nelson mandela paid a return visit to his former prison cell, this time accompanied by president bill clinton, who later presented him with the congressional gold medal. mandela stepped down as president in 1999, but he lived long enough to see the united states elect its own black president. >> so help me god. >> reporter: and in 2011 he was paid a visit in south africa by first lady michelle obama who brought alo

this person said to me, "when nelson mandela walked out of prison in 1990, i looked at him and i wondered what south africa would be with nelson mandela being free. now i am wondering what south africa would be with nelson mandela not being around anymore." the one thing that nelson mandela will be remembered for across the world is his ability to unify people, to reunite people, to reconcile people. he was a global icon for unity, for peace, and justice. we heard last night and this morning throughout the day world leaders pay tribute to nelson mandela, celebrities painter bijan nelson mandela. most of them likened him to everything that was good, everything that was great. but nelson mandela was a very humble man. i remember the day he walked out onthe gates of the prison february 11, 1990. he said to the hundreds of thousands of people gathered, "today i stand before you not as a prophet that as a humble servant of the people." that goes to show what a humble person nelson mandela was. i think right now south africans across the political spectrum from all walks of life are united in their grief for nel

today we celebrate, not the victory of a party, but a victory from all of the people of south africa. >> mandela become the first black president of south africa. the inauguration comes on a sparkling day in may, 1994. >> will you please raise your right hand and say, so help me god. >> so help me god. >> and i looked at my children i felt life had been worthwhile. >> the newly installed president mandela face is a difficult road ahead. >> we are now ready to begin the great task of building our country. >> but mandela has no blueprint to guide him in building that country. >> he became the first president, where everything he did was like walking in sand on a virgin beach. >> coming up, mandela takes the helm of a new united south africa. >> and a beloved father figure. sleep train's interest-free for 3 event is ending soon! get 3 years interest-free financing on beautyrest black, stearns & foster, serta icomfort, even tempur-pedic. plus, get free delivery, free set-up, and free removal of your old mattress, and sleep train's 100-day low price guarantee. but hurry, sleep train's interest-free f

mandela once said sports has the power to change the world. >> the 1995 rugby world cup in south africandela donned the home team's jersey, which for generations had been linked to white south africa. it was a moment of national reconciliation. >> tiger woods, among the major sports stars weighing in on his death. woods and his father met mandela in 1998. >> he had an impact on my life and my father. and that time frame in which -- when he came out, could have -- the country could have fallen apart. it could have gone a lot of different ways. and he led it to where it's at now. and the world's going to miss him. >> mandela kept a low profile while south africa hosted soccer's 2010 world cup. his memorable appearance came before the final in johannesburg, when he was driven around the field among a thunderous ovation. it would be mandela's last public appearance. >> that smile is so charming. >>> up next, the first lady on her one and only meeting with mandela. >> and how this event is playing out in social media, unlike any other before it. ♪ [ male announcer ] even well-planned holiday

it was the 1999 world cup, the final match between south africa and new zealand when nelson mandela took to the field in the rugby jersey. i was there at the first match when south africa played australia. there was a stadium full of 65,000 white bull necked afrikaanas, frankly. no black face, very few indian. rugby was a white man's sport. i was sitting with nelson mandela. he went on to the ground to toss the coin. almost immediately there was a chant, "nelson mandela, nelson mandela" and i realised who was going on. i realised it was a huge outpouring of affection and genuine respect of this man, who they had previously totally vilified. i realised then, this was a spine-tingling moment what the measure of this man's achievement had been. i think it's the legacy for all the difficulties. they are not going to go back to those days, they are long gone. >> the 1995 world cup, that was lump in throat time when you realised the enormity. figure and what he'd achieved. >> did you speak to him in recent times. he hadn't been seen in public for a long time before coming ill. had you had cont

. >> and a beloved father figure. >>> it is a bright new dawn for south africa and its people. nelson mandelater 27 years in prison, four years of hard negotiations, and the nation's first truly democratic elections has been sworn in as the first black president of south africa. he creates an inclusive government to guide the nation through the growing pains of a post-apartheid era. >> a government of national unity. in which the old regime, led by former president, f.w. de klerk was part of the cabinet. he was a deputy president. >> for his part, mandela takes a less hands-on, more symbolic roll as president. >> he was to the country a beloved father figure. >> as the the father figure, mandela knows he must once again lead by example. >> i think, in south africa, given our tortured history was very important. mr. mandela played a pivotal role in that process. >> we are one country. we are one people. >> he realized that afrikaner passions were intense. they felt they lost their country. and i think he cared about them. he showed genuine empathy. >> through a series of acts, mandela reaches

that is our leader. >> teichner: pressure to free mandela built in and outside south africa. >> free a, free mandela! >> teichner: and then, in february 1990, south african president f.w. de klerk made a historic announcement. >> the government has taken a firm decision to release mr. mandela unconditionally. >> teichner: a moment forever seared into our memory. after more than a quarter century behind bars, nelson mandela stepped into the light. >> amandla! >> teichner: mandela at 71 emerged looking not like a broken prisoner, but like a king. >> he had won. but mandela is famous for his smile, but that smile is not there. and i believe he was deeply aware of the enormous challenge and responsibility that now lay on him. ♪ >> we will reach the goal of liberating the black people of this country within our lifetime. >> teichner: nelson mandela was free, but the fight for freedom was far from over. >> pelley: when we come back, "60 minutes'" bob simon reflects on mandela's journey from prisoner to president. honestly, i'm not looking for five-star treatment. i get times are tight. but

south africa. desmond tutu offered his condolences to the mandela family. tutu himself, a social rights activist from south africa. mandela impacted the entire soul. he spoke passionately about the power of education and sports, a way to advance and unite. nbc bay area's jean elle joins us in san francisco with more. >> reporter: nelson mandela was not a big rugby fan. but he showed his support for south africa's all-white rugby team. and it was a game-changer for his country. the reverend avis brown remembers the historic moment. >> i'm right there. >> reporter: reverend amos brown spent time with nelson mandela in south africa and here in the bay area. brown says president mandela's focus was unity. and he used sport to bring bitterly divided south africa together. >> and that was one of his most defining moments. when he showed up. to applaud the team. >> reporter: mandela wasn't just applauding any team. he showed up at the world cup victory game, wearing the team's jersey and hat. the team was all-white. everyone in the stands was white. the team and it

generous and upstanding person. >> i cherish the idea of the new south africa where all south africans are equal. >> pelley: in 1993 mandela and the south african president who freed him f.w. de klerk shared the nobel peace prize. and a year after that, mandela became south africa's president. >> let there be justice for all. let there be peace for all. let there be bread, water wealth, and salt for all. let freedom reign. god bless africa. i thank you. >> pelley: mandela chose to serve only one term. in the end, he came to personify struggle, a political prisoner who became president and saved his south african nation. >> i mean he could easily have lead our country down the road of retribution and revenge and we would have been up a creek. >> pelley: author maya angelou knew mandela since 1960. >> nelson mandela represents the best any of us can hope for. he was a great man. and i'm grateful, the world is better for having him. >> pelley: mandela biographer john carlin told us this evening it tells you all you need to know that mandela will be mourned equally in south africa by blacks and whites alike. now to another imp

mandela. south africa's foreign minister. at mandela's insistence. he served in the first post apartheid government. >> that kept nelson mandela in jail, and he then served under mandela in south africa's first cabinet. it was his task to publicly defend the continued imprisonment of mandela and other political developments. privately he long lobbied for mandela's release. >> due to the effect that mandela ought to be released that we are making a bigger martyr of him every day that he stays in prison. and that is international acclaim. and it would be growing to an extent that we would not be able to hand it will any longer. unfortunately at that time it was. >> eight years later nelson mandela bake a free man. >> he spent 27 years in prison. and the day he was released he displayed the--he displayed the acumen and energy of a person who has been a president before, amazing. amazing what insight he had in the minds of people. and for that matter into world affairs. >> and central to the success of the negotiation that led to the transfer of power, wa

he refused. >> today marks the 25th year behind bars for nelson mandela. >> reporter: south africa became an international outcast facing sanctions, boycotts and growing political pressure. >> nelson mandela should be released to participate in the country's political process. >> reporter: rock concerts for the cause were broadcast around the world. ♪ hey mandela >> reporter: in 1989, south africa's hard lined president resigned, replaced by f.w. dick clark who slowly began to dismantle apartheid. the ban was lifted and on february 11th, 1990, nelson mandela walked to freedom. >> nelson mandela, free at last, and back among his people. >> reporter: 27 years in prison had not weakened mandela's resolve. >> the government has not responded. >> reporter: but he also urged restraint, even forgiveness, telling blacks to, quote, throw their guns into the sea and reassuring anxious whites. >> whites are fellow south africans and we want them to feel safe. >> reporter: mandela's courage and sacrifice were recognized around the world. in america, he was welcomed as a hero. mandela was awarded the

now get the best 3d white deal of the year >>> it is a bright new dawn for south africa and its people. nelson mandelason, four years of hard negotiations, and the nation's first truly democratic elections has been sworn in as the first black president of south africa. he creates an inclusive government to guide the nation through the growing pains of a post-apartheid era. >> a government of national unity. in which the old regime, led by former president, f.w. de klerk was part of the cabinet. he was a deputy president. >> for his part, mandela takes a less hands-on, more symbolic roll as president. >> he was to the country a beloved father figure. >> as the the father figure, mandela knows he must once again lead by example. >> i think, in south africa, given our tortured history was very important. mr. mandela played a pivotal role in that process. >> we are one country. we are one people. >> he realized that afrikaner passions were intense. they felt they lost their country. and i think he cared about them. he showed genuine empathy. >> mandela reaches out to the afrikaner community. he has tea wi

nelson mandela's 1990 release from jail signaled the end of south africa's racist policy of apartheid. he would go on to become the untry's first true democratically elected leader. >> i, nelson mandela do here swear to be faithful to the republic of south africa. >> born to a chief of a small village, mandela was one of 13 children and the first member of his family to attend school. in the 1930's he began opposing authority and the authorities that made colored south africans second-class citizens. as white south africa became more aggressive, so did he. as the head of the armed wing of the african national congress, mandela led violent sabbatini town hall attacks and was arrested and tried in 1962. he would spend 27 years in jail, but he was never forgotten. eventually international and internal pressure led the president to announce apartheid would be dismantled and mandela would walk free. but rather than secret bution, mandela reached out to his former oppressors and tried to heal a divided nation. >> in 1993 he and declercq shared the nobel peace prize. >> we appreciated the co

voters from south africa helped elect nelson mandela. some people say people in san francisco vote enthuse anyway, maybe some of those people were not south africans. who knows. [laughter] >> following his election as president of south africa, he then dispatched all out of the country, our country, counseled generals to represent south africa and on occasion when we celebrate the life of nelson mandela, council general of south africa has journeyed to san francisco to participate. mr. council general -- [applause] >> thank you so much program director, former mayor brown, the current mayor of san francisco, ed lee. thank you so much for having extended an invitation for me on behalf of south africa to participate in this vote, the commemoration and the celebration and the honoring of the late president nelson mandela. former mayor brown, i couldn't agree with you more when you said in your opening remarks that nelson mandela would have loved to hear the young people who can sing. and i wish to extends my appreciation to those angelic voi

conspiracy to overthrow the government and sentenced to life in prison on south africa's infamous robin island. after 27 years in prison mandela was freed. >> i cherish the idea of a new south africa. >> so help me god. >> reporter: he became south africa's first black president and crafted a new constitution. he won the nobel peace prize and traveled the world repairing south africa's image and promoting tolerance. he retired from public life but continued to meet with dignitaries from around the world at his home. >> he achieved more than could be expected of any man. >> reporter: in june he was rushed to the hospital suffering from a recurring lung infection he first contracted in prison. he eventually went home but remained in critical condition. administration officials say president obama will attend mandela's state funeral and is expected to deliver remarks. live in washington danielle nottingham, now back to you. >> thank you. as the news spread today a few folks here in town have made their way down to the south african embassy to pay their respects tonight. we have the story live from there. >> reporter: you saw at 6

that's what mandela is. >> reporter: robyn curnow, cnn, johannesburg, south africa. nelson mandela, the fighter, the man who never surrendered to a brutal racist regime, who remains steadfast during 27 years in prison, has eventually given up. he's gone. everyone here in south africa will be saying good-bye. >> not only in south africa, but all over the world, people will be saying good-bye to nelson mandela for what he did for the people of south africa, what he did for all of africa, indeed, what he did around the world. christiane amanpour is with us. i understand you have a special guest to discuss this special day. >> i do, indeed. the remainformer south african president, f.w. de clerk. mr. president, thank you for joining me. >> hello, christiane. it's a sad day, sad moment, but it's good to hear your voice again. >> well, thank you, sir. please tell me and tell the world what you feel at this moment beyond the sadness and what you can say about the man who became your partner and you became his under extremely difficult circumstances to transform your country.

was just a boy his mom named troublemaker. >> reporter: nelson mandela's triumph fact walk to eedom in 1990 after 27 years in south africa'siting arms of his family and joyous expectations of an entire country. >> i cherish the idea -- [indiscernible] >> reporter: he not only became south africa's first black president but an international icon. he won the nobel peace prize after managing to put aside any thoughts of vengeance against his former jailers and instead brought them into a unity covet preserving the nation even as the apartheid system crumb bammed. >> -- crumbled. >> i have fought very firmly. >> reporter: nelson mandela's given name in the south african language translates as troublemaker. it was a teacher who changed it to nelson as the young mandela grew up in a privileged home and first became a lawyer representing blacks who had been forced off their

so these elections, nelson mandela did not take lightly. the people of south africa did not take lightly. it was a true exercise of democracy. we learned a lot from those elections. and president mandela is still larger than life. his serenity, his tough spirit, he reminded me of a freedom fighter who won and who once you won, he was on the right side of history. then in fact this sense of peace and reconciliation, this sense of moving forward to develop and lead a multiracial society was the natural next step for him, if only we could learn that as a people here in our own country. >> there's so many different chapters to this man's life. he had so many incarnations as a young lawyer, as a militant briefly, when the anc decided to take up arms. as a nonviolent activist, as a prisoner, then as a head of state, an elder statesman. the bomb blast that the congresswoman talked about, the threat of violence shot through everything in apartheid south africa. >> it constantly hung over and it never stopped. i remember when we landed and the congresswoman is correct and dea

mandela. he was a symbol of freedom and the strength of the human spirit in south africa and beyond. e 27 years he was incarcerated, he organized protests and got his law degree and even though he was only allowed one visitor a year and write or receive one letter every six months. so he had little contact with his own family. >> amazing. he won over everybody in that 30 years of incarceration, winning over prison guards, walking out and renouncing fierce of hatred. he said it only clouds the mind. this is a man as soon as he walked out embraced anyone who oppressed him and what a remarkable thing. he was raised as a son of a tribal leader. his nickname was troublemaker. isn't that amazing? little did they know? he certainly was. >> yes. >>> oprah winfrey's also weighing in on mandela's passing. she says it was one of her greatest honors to be invited to his home. and called him humble, graceful and heroic. she called him a gift to us all, and she hosted mandela on her show 13 years ago. >> i had said that you are one of the most -- the most humble person i ever met. i will tell you,

mandela urged the united states to maintain its tough policy against south africa, as blacks there struggleequality. >> and the only way in which we can work together on this difficult road is for you to ensure that sanctions are applied. >> mandela! mandela! >> mandela and his wife, winnie, stopped by a brooklyn high school. they were greeted by 10,000 people. then new york city honored mandela has no other city can. a ticker tape parade up broadway. mandela said he knew he had friends in new york, but never dreamed he was so loved. the key to the city from mayor david dinkins. mandela then talked of unlocking the shackles of apartheid. >> we want those in south africa, to their country which vanishes forever, embraces them in all its forms. south africa should be freed. this struggle continues. thank you! >> i am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from nelson mandela's life. my very first political action, the first thing i ever did that involved an issue or a policy or politics was a protest against apartheid. guided by their hopes and not by their fears. >> when you inte

under the white minority government and then their children born into free south africa, all of them today paying tribute to mandela hen ace legacy. richard engel is also in south africa and has more tonight from the current mandela home. richard? >> reporter: good evening, lester. the thunderstorm has also rolled into here in johannesburg. behind me there are thousands of bouquets and tributes, very wet tributes and bouquets in front of the home where nelson mandela died as south africans are coming out and celebrating the life of the man who transformed this country. ♪ no one mourns like south africans. ♪ in soweto, where mandela once lived, bans marched today and they danced and sang to celebrate the man who helped end apartheid. ♪ the mandela family also made its first public statement. >> the family will learn from him to appreciate the values that made him the leader that was recognized by all. chief among these is the lesson that a life lived for others is a life well lived. >> reporter: in joe hansberg mandela square they came to take pictures by mandela's statue. >> it makes me proud to be south african. >

mandela. a memorial service was held for the former south african leader who died last week at 95. the johansaburg downship that was a stronghold that mandela embodied. wusa9 anchor, he's in south africa and he has a special report on today's tribute. >> in just a few short hours, the body of nelson mandela will be driven through these crowded streets as thousands of regular south africans are expected it line up to pay their final respects. it was a whole world's turn to say good-bye. to paraphrase president obama, south -- thank you south africa. >> the four-hour memorial for nelson mandela held in a rain- soaked stadium, at times, looked more like a world cup soccer match. south africans danced, sang, waved flags, and trumpeted horns celebrating their former leader. >> he means a lot to us and he still means a lot to us. >> may god bless the memory of nelson mandela. may god bless the people of south africa. >> president obama and former presidents carter, clinton, and george w. bush led the american delegation. during his eulogy. president obama called mandela, quote, a giant of justice. comparing him to lincoln, and dr. king. >> you ,change laws, but he also changed heart. >> th

mandela. we saw charlize they are ron earlier. she was born in south africa. all town 30 miles east of here on the other side of johannesburg. we have seen bono arrive. the star of u 2. he got to know nelson mandela very well over the years. naomi campbell that was pictured a number of time with nelson mandela. she is a super model and he was also quite taken by the spice girls when he met them. quite a number of celebrities. oprah winfrey is going to be here today. >> i wonder what south africans will make of this week and this day. how much it will mean to them and how much they will take strength from this to move forward. >> you know, it's our 20th anniversary of our freedom in this country. and to me, and south africans, the depth and the time of the year should be putting us top say how do we move forward. if you look at how do we move forward as united or move forward as divided. more forward as the poor and the rich or move forward as just a nation. [ inaudible ] and i'm hoping that all south africans, you know, will use today and use madiba's vision to

hard times. >> thanks to nelson mandela. >> thanks to nelson mandela. >> thanks to nelson mandela south africa's fight it kept mostly inside the ring. >> right here all of this. this is the equipment that nelson mandela wants to use. outback the security guard shows equipment that nelson mandela used. memories of a boxer that shows a different fight and why. >> president obama arrives in south africa on tuesday for what has been called the african funeral. 100,000 people are expected to attend the memorial attendance in johannesburg. part of nelson mandela's mandate was his willingness to forgive. one of his former guards said he couldn't help but become close. nelson mandela was my prisoner. he was my friend. like a father to me. he was someone you could look up to. i will miss him as a country and i will miss his voice. >> that was christo brand, nelson mandela's prison guard for 12 years, until his release in 1990. >> tsangses heating up over disputed islands in the east chaina sea. sea is expanding its zone to overlap one by china. it covers a rock off the southern coast. let's bring in harr

mandela brought about in south africa. my visit with him in '96, i had the privilege of spending nearly an hour with him in his office in south africa. the thing that struck me the most about mr. mandela, when you are in the presence of someone viewed by his countrymen as george washington, abraham lincoln and martin luther king it's intimidating. the thing that struck me is how open and engaging and humorous he was. we had a great time talking and laughing. i said to myself, an icon should not be this happy and laughing. you know, i expected a stone figure and i found a very -- >> doctor, can you reflect on how nelson mandela impacted those that you managed during your tenure at universities like howard? >> caller: sure. i was president of howard for 13 years. during that time, prior to my becoming president, mr. mandela received an honorary degree from howard. it was the first honorary degree he received from an american university. we are proud of that. mr. mandela, when i visited with him reminded me of his visit to was

there, as the reverend was just mentioning to see that first democratic election in south africa, in which nelson mandela was elected the first democratic president of that country. >> i was there. and let me say, chris, that my heart is very heavy tonight. the people of south africa, the people of the world, we've lost a great warrior, a great leader. i also have to say, the lessons we've learned from president mandela are so, so great. and being there as an election observer is one of the moments i will always remember. because these elections were very difficult. when i landed, the first task we had was to monitor the -- and reverend al, you may remember this, the cleanup of a bomb blast that was palablasted out front of the anc headquarters. i think 30 people died. so these elections, nelson mandela did not take lightly. the people of south africa did not take lightly. but they waited in line. it was a true exercise of democracy. we learned a lot from those elections. and president mandela is still larger than life. his serenity, his tough spirit, he reminded me of a freedom fighter who won and who o

, certainly white south africa about nelson mandelaagain. >> reporter: a defining moment of that presidency would come during the 1995 rugby world cup. after decades in isolation, south africa's sporting teams could once again participate against the world's best. and the country's first democratically-elected president was there to cheer the springboks on in johannesburg. >> when he walked out of that tunnel wearing the number 6 jersey, that white predominantly afrikaners crowd starting chanting his name. watch the footage. as i say i get goose bumps. i could not believe what i was hearing. how could this ever happen? and yet he just understood fundamentally understood that that kind of a symbolic gesture of putting on a rugby jersey and identifying with a logo, a symbol, would go so much further than any speech or policy or political agenda ever. and he brought, i would estimate, 85% of white south africans on board right there on that day. >> it was magic. it was profound. it was incredibly necessary that the country and the people

captioning sponsored by macneil/lehrer productions >> woodruff: nelson mandela has died at home in johanesburg, south africa, at the age of 95. good evening, i'm judy woodruff. >> ifill: and i'm gwen ifill. we remember mandela, a towering man whose passion, sacrifice and battle against aparthied changed south africa and the world. >> woodruff: tonight we devote our whole program to life and legacy of nelson mandela. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> and the william and flora hewlett foundation, working to solve social and environmental problems at home and around the world. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> ifill: nelson mandela's death was formally announced late today by south africa's current president jacob zuma. he expressed the country's love and sense of loss for their iconic leader, often referred to, o

mandela. south africa's future and how dark shadows from the past lead to some whites to fear for their lives. and you're watching our team live from moscow who are certainly glad to have you with us now an anti fracking protest in northeast romania has turned violent clashes broke out between police and the locals who are trying to stop the u.s. oil giant chevron from drilling for shale gas in the area protesters fear that fracking will damage the environment and contaminate ground water supplies are reports from the side of the unrest. we're here in congestion this is just moments after a very tense clashes between protesters who are against chevron conducting exploration for shale gas drilling here in this area in northeastern mania what you see behind me over there is actually the chevron site. protesters had ran across the street they broke down the perimeter of the chevron location tore down the fences and entered the area there were actually inside the chevron test exploration area these units riot police officers had been called into the area this is when things very much escalated and

leading people of the century. >> former president jimmy carter here in south africa today remembering his true and dear friend nelson mandela. we are joined here in south africa by nbc news special correspondent charlayne hunter-gault, a long-time responsibility who has lived here for 16 years now. and you've come to know the mandela family well. what do you hear tonight? >> you know, i think that they like the rest of south africa had their moments of sadness. and now they're celebrating his life. they are -- i spoke with venzi mandela a few moments ago, and she wanted the world to know that first of all, she took out solar lanterns to the children. you saw pictures of the children earlier. she wanted them to have this light to the remember that her father loved children. she said she wanted the world to embrace one word. forgiveness. i thought that was interesting. you know, she was the one who, i think around 22 years old when mandela was in prison and wanted to get a message to his followers to keep going and keep the struggle going, and winnie was banned, the mother, and so she was the one that read the speech. so i th

robin is in south africa with the story of his incredible life. >> reporter: nelson mandela's struggle for freedom defined his life. he was born in the row motor hills of south africa's eastern cape. he was given the name which means troublemaker. he was only given the name nelson by a school teacher later on. after moving to johannesburg and studying law, mandela's trouble making politics began. and as a boxer he became adept at picking fights and sparring with the apartheid authorities which had increased its oppression against the black population. it was then that he made the crucial decision to take up an armed struggle, launching african national congress's armed wing. he was militant and a fire brand. definely burning his pass book. a dreaded document the authorities used against the black population. >> the africans require, want the franchise on the basis of one man one vote. they want political independents. >> that simple demand and the methods he took to fight for democracy eventually saw him and others tried for treason and sabotage. acts punishable by death. but they got

south african. and finally, mandela -- the ties that bind the human spirit. there's a world in south africa. [cheering] a word that captures mandela's greatest gift. his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye. that there's a oneness to humanity. that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us. we can never know how much of this sense was innate in him or how much was shaped in a dark and solitary cell. but we remember the chapters, large and small, introducing his jailers as honored guests at his inauguration, taking a pitch in a uniform, turning his family's heartbreak to confront h.i.v. h.i.v./a.i.d.s. that reveals the depth of his understanding. he taught millions to find that truth within themselves. it took a man like madiba to free, not just the prisoners but the jailer as well. to show you must trust others so they may trust you, to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a path but a means of confronting it with inclusion and generosity and truth. he changed laws but he also changed hear

globe. >>> our top story today, a form ur south african president nelson mandela passed away last night, age 95. keith looks back on his life. >> the south africa was born into more than nine decades ago will never be the same because of him. his lifelong campaign for racial equality made him a hero to the people. and at one time, an enemy of the state. a massacre of unarmed black demonstrators in 1960 moved mandela to abandon his nonviolent campaign for change. >> it is useless for us to continue talking peace and nonviolence against a government whose reply is only savage attacks. >> mandela's tribal name translates as the one who stirred up dust. mandela stirred autopsy storm fighting for democracy. >> it is a gift for which i am prepared to die. >> first arrested in 1962, mandela was eventually convicted of sabotaging to overthrow the government. for 27 years, prison bars confined the man, but not his calls. as generations have never seen him kept his campaign alive. in 1990, buckling under internal strife and international sanctions, the white minority government abandon apartheid. >> the government has taken a firm decision to release mr.

mandela. >> welcome to our viewers in the united states and around the world. >> it is morning now in south africa. crowds have gathered outside the former president's home in johannesburg, he died peacefully on thursday, he was 95. >> mandela is known for freeing south africa and delivering it into the hands of democracy. president jacob zuma broke the news of his death. >> our thoughts are with the millions of people across the world who embraced mandela as their own and who saw his cause as their cause. this is the moment of our deepest sorrow. >> well, millions of people around the world are joining south africans in mourning the death of nelson mandela. let go live now to johannesburg. robyn curnow who has covered nelson mandela's career extensively. i guess the fact that he hasn't been president for 14 years him he has so many people out in the stheet streets. he remains in their hearts on this day. >> reporter: absolutely. you know, nelson mandela's life mirrored south africa's struggle for political freedom and i think that's why people feel so personally checked to him as well a deeply gr

mandela would not see a free south africa. ssof us in our 20s time by the time change made would be pretty old and wouldn't be able to make a contribution to a democratic south africa. >> mandela spent 18 years behind those walls. he was confined to a very tiny cell. the floor served as his bed and a bucket was his toilet. >> he was forced to do hard labor. actually literally breaking rocks. he was only allowed one visitor a year. and that was for 30 minutes. this was usually his then wife winnie mandela, familiar to many. they weren't allowed to even touch. he was only allowed two letters a year from his family. >> president obama and his family toured robben island during their first visit to south africa in june into word of any son mandela's death spread quickly around the world and the united states, of course. for many americans his death was like losing one of his own. >> president obama met the leader in 2005 and he and the first lady visited south africa in june but they were unable to meet with mandela due to his fail

mandela. he was a symbol of freedom and the strength of the human spirit in south africa and beyond. nd diana? >> karen, mandela clear hero to president obama. will he be traveling to south africa for the memorial? >> no trip has been announced yet by the white house but it seems likely the president and possibly first lady would go over for the services when they happen over the next week or two. the president was so candid yesterday speaking about the influence that nelson mandela had in his life. he said he could not imagine living his life without the example that nelson mandela set. >> tell us more about president obama's last trip to south africa and when he first met mandela has a senator. >> reporter: president obama was in south africa in june. nelson mandela was very sick at that point. the white house said out of respect for him and his family they were not going to have the obamas a go and meet him. instead he took his wife and daughters to nominee's cell on robben island. he said it was a privilege and honor to be there. the first and only time they met is right after pre

south african president nelson mandela died at the age of 95. mandela, a remarkable life dedicated his to fighting for civil rights in south africa. mandela lived long enough to see a multiracial democratic south africa. he called it the rainbow nation. the grief over his death crossed racial lines ha he devoted his to erasing. a young man at the age of 25, he joined the african national congress in 1956. mandela was arrested with 155 other political activists and was changed with high treason. the treason trial lasted 4 1/2 years. the charges against him were ultimately dropped. mandela used a false identity to evade the government and traveled to europe and other countries in africa to built support for the anc and study guerilla warfare. when he returned to south africa in 1962, mandela was arrested and sentenced to years in prison. during his sentence, the government charmed mandela and other anc leaders with sabotage and attempting to violently overthrow the government. the winner of 1964, mandela and his colleagues were sentenced to in prison. mandela's brutal imprisonment helped win freedom for his nation. he represented him

way, the pictures right now, that is the president in the cell where nelson mandela spent 17 years in prison and in south africa, 17 of the 27 years that nelson mandela spent in prison. trip, the president visited south africa earlier this year. he had hoped to get a chance to have one last meeting with mandela. forela was no condition such a meeting. the president visited that cell, went out into the quarries where nelson mandela and the other prisoners were forced to do hard labor. it was clearly a very emotional visit for the president. ,s you see, he brought michelle he talked about mandela's influence on his life. in this forward that senator obama wrote the book by mandela, he said, "too many of us, he was more than just a man. of the struggle for justice, equality, and dignity in south africa and around the globe. his sacrifice was so great that it called upon people everywhere to do what they could on behalf of human progress." and there you see his daughters got to go in the cell as well come a very emotional experience for the entire obama family. really, i do not think that you can overstate how much

south africans are equal. >> reporter: in 1993 mandela and the south african president who freed him, f.w., de klerk shared the nobel peace prize and a year after that, mandela became south afri africa's president. >> let there be justice for all. let there be peace for all. let there be work, bread, water, and salt for all. let freedom ring. god bless south africa. i thank you. >> reporter: nelson mandela chose to serve only one term. in the end he came to personify struggle, a political prisoner who became president and saved his south african nation. >> he could so very easily have led our country down the road of retribution and revenge, and we would have been up a creek. >> reporter: author maya angelou knew mandela since 1960. >> nelson mandela represents the best any of us can hope for. he was a great man, and i'm grateful. the world is better for having him. >> reaction to mandela's death is pouring in from around the world. susan mcginnis is in washington with more. susan, good morning. >> good morning, anne-marie. the tributes have been coming in all night long from leaders around the world and other officials, including here in washington. the people of america join south a

mandela was to south africa and world politics. realized was the first concert in london, i just got a shock of my life and realized for the first time just how important mr. mandela was and the gravitose he is recognized. he became an important member of our organization and nothing more. >> tell me, when he did get out of prison, did it surprise you that he chose reconciliation over revenge? >> no. i wasn't surprised at all. from the time i met him in prison, he was feeling that different change between changing the system under which we lived, that should be our focus, and we should not focus on individuals who might or may not be playing at the time, may not be playing an important role in constructing the system. he had a fairly remarkable situations with orders and as one of the young stars who came into prison at the time, a little -- i must admit. a few of us in large part of people who paid in there. i don't think we paced ourselves for the time we would spend in prison. we learned a lot from people who had been there in t

what drove mandela forward and architect of ahe free south africa, the one and irst great achievement of nelson mandela? what made him this great south africa ree was this burning belief that everyone, every man and woman was equal. everyone born to be free. everyone created not with the poverty, but in created to have dignity in life. >> here here. the intensity to which nelson mandela believed this and his determination that he would paralyzed by fear. something that's recorded was brought to the prison in robin island, the shakespeare and he has e his signature, julius he words of ceasar. the coward dies 1,000 times the volumedeath, but taste of death but once. it's strange seeing that death, end, will come when it will come. remarkably, that amazing courage to stand up to evil stood with this lack of bitterness that has been described already today, orgiving his prosecutors the would be executioners and the he told ing story that me, the night before they left rison calling all of the prisoners together saying, yes, they would be justified in acts f revenge, retaliation, and retri

but they do get points for christmas spirit. >>> when we come back from south africa tonight, the place where nelson mandela became a symbol of hope and change. >>> finally from south africa tonight, we took a moment this afternoon while the memorial gathering was still going on but winding down to walk through soweto just as a way of gauging life in a specific part of this country right now. how it's changed, where it might be headed, especially in light of the loss of the man they consider a hero. >> reporter: this is the south africa nelson mandela identified with, and they proudly claim him as one of their own. >> mr. mandela is seen as an icon, so we will follow him. >> i'm going to leave it up to him. what he taught me i will teach my children forever. >> reporter: on a rainy afternoon walking around soweto, you can witness the gamut of human experience. >> welcome to soweto. >> reporter: thank you very much. after 20 years of coming here, there were visible changes on this trip. in this neighborhood a slight uptick in the standard of living and happiness and em paufrt, but it's hard to see anything e

. >> from prisoner to president, nelson mandela's 1990 release end ofil signaled the south africa'st policy of apartheid. on to become the country's first truly democratically elected leader. >> i, nelson mandela, do hereby to be faithful to the republic of south africa. a born in a small village to local chief, mandela was one of 13 children and the first member of his family to attend school. in the 1940's, he began opposing minority's policy of apartheid laws that segregated society. first, mandela was inspired by approach of nonviolent resistance. as white south africa became more aggressive, so did he. as the head of the armed wing of the african national congress, mandela led violent sabotage attacks and was arrested and in 1962. he would spend 27 years in jail. he was never forgotten. eventually, international and internal pressure led president klerk to announce apartheid would be dismantled and mandela would walk free. rather than seek richer view showing, nelson mandela reached oppressors.ormer he tried to heal a divided nation. and the clerk -- de klerk shared the nobel p