Editor's note

Former US president Barack Obama will deliver the Nelson Mandela Annual lecture in South Africa today as the country prepares to mark the centenary of the struggle icon’s birth. Matthew Graham explains why Mandela’s legacy endures – and why criticism of the compromises he made ahead of the first democratic elections in 1994 are misplaced.

Zimbabwe is set to hold elections later this month – the first without Robert Mugabe since the country’s independence in 1980. Brooks Marmon traces the history of political violence and media repression in the country all the way back to pre-independence and how these traits were perpetuated during Mugabe’s ruinous 37-year reign.

Thabo Leshilo

Politics + Society Editor

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Nelson Mandela, arriving for Thabo Mbeki’s inauguration in 2004. EPA/Jon Hrusa

Blame politicians, not Mandela, for South Africa's unfinished business

Matthew Graham, University of Dundee

Mandela continues to serve as a rare example of a principled politician committed to forgiveness and reconciliation.

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