Anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg, who was jailed for life with Nelson
Mandela in 1962 in what became known as the Rivonia Trial, speaks about the
former South African president ahead of his 90th birthday celebrations in
Berlin. 

(EU) BERLIN, GERMANY (JULY 18, 2008) REUTERS -
 Anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg said on Friday (July 18) that
even though Nelson Mandela was 90 years-old, his goal in life continued to be
fighting for the freedom of others.
   "I think what is special about him is his inner strength and his
inborn dignity. I think he was very conscious of being the son of a very minor
chief but he has never claimed his authority from being of royal blood. He
claims his authority from being a leader of a modern political movement,"
said Goldberg who was in Berlin for Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations which
are being held in the city this weekend.
    "You must live your life to honour, respect and advance the
freedom of others -- that's his goal in life. And he goes on doing it, he's
ninety years old and I think that's remarkable," he added.
     On June 12, 1964, Mandela together with seven men were jailed for life
in what became known as the Rivonia Trial. Goldberg was one of the seven men
convicted and the only white man. He was held in Pretoria Central Prison
because he was white while Mandela and the others were flown to Robben Island
Maximum Security Prison.
    Goldberg was released in 1985 while Mandela walked out a free man in
1990 through the gates of Victor Verster Prison.
    After the euphoria when Mandela became president of South Africa in
1994 and used his inspirational example to unite the nation and avert a
potential civil war, many feel the promise he symbolised has been dashed. 
    Mandela's successor, Thabo Mbeki, has been widely criticised for
failing to address the huge gulf between rich and poor which is stoking labour
unrest, a power crisis which threatens to damage economic growth, one of the
world's worst crime rates and the fallout from the collapse of neighbouring
Zimbabwe.