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If you're not sure what you'll be doing this Mandela Month, why not join GEM and Brand South Africa in helping those in need....

Weighing in at more than 3.5 tons, the new statue of Nelson Rolihlala Mandela unveiled on Monday at the Union Buildings shows the father of the nation with his arms outstretched, as if embracing the nation. Find out the facts behind this remarkable feat of art and engineering.

On Sunday 11 February 1990 - 25 years ago - millions of people around the world watched as Nelson Mandela walked out of the gates of Victor Verster prison in Paarl.

Bringing stories to life through performance art and putting actors on stage is at the heart of Twist Theatre Development Projects, a grassroots arts organisation.

There is more to Durban than its year-round perfect weather, big surf and golden beaches – though these are reason enough to visit. Durbs is a melting pot of Zulu, Indian and colonial culture, offering good food, great music, a long history and an active lifestyle.

Starting at Manaye Hall in Imbali – where he gave his last speech as a free man – and ending at the Capture Site, where the Black Pimpernel was finally caught, the Mandela Day Marathon is symbolic of the triumph of the human spirit. There are also shorter distances, a trail run and mountain bike rides.

At a secret meeting with Albert Luthuli in Durban, a young Nelson Mandela spoke about switching to an armed struggle to end apartheid. On the way to Johannesburg – back home – Mandela was arrested in the Midlands. His "freedom" was finally over. The Capture Site is now an extraordinary place to visit.

Among the many tributes to former president Nelson Mandela is a poster art project started by two South African designers. Instead of the 95 entries they hoped for, they got 700.
• Liliesleaf remembered 50 years on

From the island prison where he lived for 18 years to his post-presidential archive in Johannesburg, from rural childhood scenes to a house in South Africa's busiest township, Nelson Mandela left a rich trail across the country for the discerning tourist to follow.

Mary Robinson, former Irish president, member of The Elders, and president of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, delivered the tenth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on 5 August 2012 at the Cape Town City Hall.
• Mandela archive goes live