On 5 December 2013, South African President Jacob Zuma made the following announcement: “Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding President of our democratic nation has departed. He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 20h50 on the 5th of December 2013. He is now resting. He is now at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father. Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world.” The importance of Nelson Mandela (full version) upon world history can hardly be overstated, and yet for those young enough to be spared exposure to apartheid, it can be hard to understand. Collected below are a series of resources to help understand what apartheid was and Mandela’s role in its dismantlement.

The Government of South Africa

The South African Government’s ongoing guide to tributes and press releases about Nelson Mandela and his final arrangements. This is a simple site, but there are wealth of resources, including a 13-minute documentary overview of his life story.

National Archives – Apartheid in South Africa

National Security Council, Central Intelligence Agency

A vintage documentary from the National Archive hosted at Internet Archive, “this film explores South Africa’s apartheid policy, focusing on issues such as race relations, political practices, and segregated dwellings. The footage includes several interviews with black leaders.”

Nelson Mandela’s First Television Interview

With notes from OpenCulture.com, this includes a notable explanation of his beliefs about peace and violence in the fight to end apartheid.

Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

“The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory delivers the core-work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1999 to support its Founder’s ongoing engagement in worthy causes on his retirement as President of South Africa…The Centre focuses on three areas of work: the Life and Time of Nelson Mandela, Dialogue for Social Justice and Nelson Mandela International Day.”

Afropop Worldwide’s Hip Deep

South African Artists Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela: “The extraordinary wisdom and forgiveness of Nelson Mandela as he led South Africa out of the hated apartheid system to a non-racial, democratic society is a deep inspiration that will long outlive him. Along the long journey to freedom, South African musicians offered vivid reflections of the emotions of the moment.”

Mandela Story

In is an interesting take on Madiba from the site for Nelson Mandela Day, in which young people give 67 minutes of their day to further the causes of equity and social justice, Mandela’s life is viewed through the lens of social media.