Celebrating Nelson Mandela's legacy (gallery)

Welcome drinks outside the newly refurbished Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

Guests at the event were impressed with the new facade and entrance to the Centre

Guests at the event were impressed with the new facade and entrance to the Centre

Outgoing CEO Achmat Dangor's latest book, , was on sale during the evening

Examining some of the new additions to the refurbished Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

The hallway leading from the entry hall to Mr. Mandela's reading room and post-presidential office

An impressive collection of books given to Mr. Mandela from people around the globe decorate the new upstairs reading room. Members of the public have access to this literary resource

Mr. Mandela's oak desk is the most prominent feature in his post-presidential office. The office has been preserved in the same condition as he left it in 2010

Sentimental photos adorn Mr. Mandela's desk

As a cow herder growing up, Mr. Mandela was particulary fond of Nguni cattle, models of which decorate his office

Mr Mandela's oak desk and small private library

An area for quiet contemplation

Denis Beckett (left) with CEO of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, Shaun Johnson (right)

Rica Hodgson, Claude Colart, Spencer Hodgson and Claudia Hodgson enjoyed the evening

Former political prisoner Ahmed Kathrada greets CEO of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, Shaun Johnson, before the evening's proceedings

Actor Jack Devnarain and Ahmed Kathrada share a laugh at the event

From left: Shaun Johnson, Sibongiseni Mkhize, Mr. Kathrada, Adv George Bizos, Mrs. Irene Menel and Chris Liebenberg were among the esteemed guests who attended the event

The panelists, including outgoing CEO Achmat Dangor, Professor Njabulo S. Ndebele, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy Director-General of South Africa’s Department of Arts and Culture Vusi Ndima and CEO of the Robben Island Museum Sibongiseni Mkhize, prepare to address the audience

Guests listen intently as panelists give their speeches

Sello Hatang will take over the reins as CEO of the Centre on 1 June 2013

CEO of the Robben Island Museum Sibongiseni Mkhize shares warm memories of meeting Sello Hatang years ago

Deputy Director-General of South Africa’s Department of Arts and Culture Vusi Ndima

Director: Research and Archives Verne Harris prepares to hand over a priceless film archive of South Africa’s Constitutional Assembly received by the National Archives

An award uncovered during an audit of Mr. Mandela’s awards was handed to Sophia Williams-De Bruyn by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe

Outgoing CEO Achmat Dangor bids a fond farewell

Guests were given a rare glimpse into Mr. Mandela's archives, where his gifts and other memorabilia are kept

Guests were given a rare glimpse into Mr. Mandela's archives, where his gifts and other memorabilia are kept

Guests were given a rare glimpse into Mr. Mandela's archives, where his gifts and other memorabilia are kept

Senior Archivist Razia Saleh shows guests an interesting collection of Mr. Mandela's old documents, awards and personal belongings, including his Nobel Prize award and the warrant of committal that sentenced Mr. Mandela to life imprisonment

Senior Archivist Razia Saleh shows guests an interesting collection of Mr. Mandela's old documents, awards and personal belongings, including his Nobel Prize award and the warrant of committal that sentenced Mr. Mandela to life imprisonment

Mr. Mandela's first passport, which he received after his release from prison

Nelson Mandela Foundation