Life under apartheid: demeaning, often brutal

By Michael Pearson and Tom Cohen, CNN

Updated 2018 GMT (0418 HKT) December 6, 2013

Nelson Mandela, the prisoner-turned-president who reconciled South Africa after the end of apartheid, died on December 5, 2013. He was 95.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – Nelson Mandela, the prisoner-turned-president who reconciled South Africa after the end of apartheid, died on December 5, 2013. He was 95.
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Mandela became president of the African National Congress Youth League in 1951.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – Mandela became president of the African National Congress Youth League in 1951.
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Mandela poses for a photo, circa 1950.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – Mandela poses for a photo, circa 1950.
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Mandela poses in boxing gloves in 1952.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – Mandela poses in boxing gloves in 1952.
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Mandela in the office of Mandela & Tambo, a law practice set up in Johannesburg by Mandela and Oliver Tambo to provide free or affordable legal representation to black South Africans.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – Mandela in the office of Mandela & Tambo, a law practice set up in Johannesburg by Mandela and Oliver Tambo to provide free or affordable legal representation to black South Africans.
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From left: Patrick Molaoa, Robert Resha and Mandela walk to the courtroom for their treason trial in Johannesburg.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – From left: Patrick Molaoa, Robert Resha and Mandela walk to the courtroom for their treason trial in Johannesburg.
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Nelson and Winnie Mandela raise their fists to salute a cheering crowd upon his 1990 release from Victor Verster Prison. He was still as upright and proud, he would say, as the day he walked into prison 27 years before.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – Nelson and Winnie Mandela raise their fists to salute a cheering crowd upon his 1990 release from Victor Verster Prison. He was still as upright and proud, he would say, as the day he walked into prison 27 years before.
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A jubilant South African holds up a newspaper announcing Mandela's release from prison at an ANC rally in Soweto on February 11, 1990. Two days later, more than 100,000 people attended a rally celebrating his release from jail.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – A jubilant South African holds up a newspaper announcing Mandela's release from prison at an ANC rally in Soweto on February 11, 1990. Two days later, more than 100,000 people attended a rally celebrating his release from jail.
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After his release in 1990, Mandela embarked on a world tour, meeting U.S. President George H.W. Bush at the White House in June.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – After his release in 1990, Mandela embarked on a world tour, meeting U.S. President George H.W. Bush at the White House in June.
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At his Soweto home on July 18, 1990, Mandela blows out the candles on his 72nd birthday cake. It was the first birthday he celebrated as a free man since the 1960s.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – At his Soweto home on July 18, 1990, Mandela blows out the candles on his 72nd birthday cake. It was the first birthday he celebrated as a free man since the 1960s.
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Mandela and his wife react to supporters during a visit to Brazil at the governor's palace in Rio De Janeiro, on August 1, 1991.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – Mandela and his wife react to supporters during a visit to Brazil at the governor's palace in Rio De Janeiro, on August 1, 1991.
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South African President Frederik de Klerk, right, and Mandela shared a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their work to secure a peaceful transition from apartheid rule.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – South African President Frederik de Klerk, right, and Mandela shared a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their work to secure a peaceful transition from apartheid rule.
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Mandela votes for the first time in his life on March 26, 1994.
Photos: The evolution of Nelson Mandela
The evolution of Nelson Mandela – Mandela votes for the first time in his life on March 26, 1994.