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There are plenty of books about Nelson Mandela – written by himself, by people who knew him and by historians and journalists. Taken together, they tell a story of a life that towers above others, yet also reveal the more private experiences of the great man.

The dusty town of Sharpeville has seen much history, from the massacre of peaceful protesters to the signing of the new Constitution of a democratic country. We look at the timeline of a place written into the history books.

Over the years, many movies have been made about Nelson Mandela, the latest being the film adaptation of his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. That outing starred British actor Idris Elba, who follows in the steps of several actors who have played Madiba, only one of whom was South African – Lindane Nkosi.

South African Tourism is building a pilgrimage route following the life and times of Nelson Mandela through the four provinces that shaped his life. The organisation is confident that in time, people are going to see it as "a must-do kind of thing".

One hundred years have passed since Mahatma Gandhi left South African shores to return to his home in India; the lessons he left have not been forgotten, and continue to inspire South Africans as the country builds a cohesive and inclusive national identity.

In the bustling township in Stellenbosch, there are few opportunities for the children. Life is hard and the lack of education means there is little hope of escape. But Songo.info is playing its part to open up a world filled with possibility for them.

An academic, a writer and journalist, a sharp legal mind, a human rights advocate – Dr Frene Ginwala is all of these things. She has devoted her life to bringing equality to South Africa, and was instrumental in writing our Constitution. In all, she has played her part in building a free, prosperous nation.

At Rena Le Lona in Soweto, children affected by Aids and other challenges are helped to heal from their traumas and grow into well-rounded citizens. All forms of arts are used, and the children are able to explore a range of spiritual and religious practices to find peace.

With helmets on their heads and leather riding boots protecting their feet, bikers selflessly travel across South Africa each year, stopping off to help where they are needed. This year, among their many outreach activities, Bikers for Nelson Mandela Day will hand over handmade blankets.