It is 20 years since the South African authorities agreed to free Nelson Mandela - the man who would lead the struggle to end the country's policy of racial segregation, and create a multi-racial democracy.
Using the BBC archives, see how he left behind his cell of 27 years, to become South Africa's first black president.
Photographs courtesy AP, AFP, Getty Images and Rex Features. Includes music by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, UB40, Simple Minds and The Special AKA.
Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 11 February 2010.
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