Nelson Mandela

South African freedom fighter Ahmed "Kathy" Kathrada spent decades in jail with Nelson Mandela. His best friend later in life was one of his prison guards.

The anti-apartheid hero has been a unifying force in South Africa, particularly for the ruling African National Congress. There's concern, however, that xenophobia, racism and political infighting may grow once the "father of the nation" dies.

Mandela remains hospitalized, but South Africans take the opportunity to honor the man who symbolized the anti-apartheid movement.