We all know that Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a civil rights activist, president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. It is also no secret that his fame attracted a lot of international visits, some of which we are very familiar with here at EntertainmentSA. Here’s a look at photographs of celebrities meeting and shaking hands with the iconic figure.

With racing driver Lewis Hamilton at The Dorchester Hotel on June 24, 2008, ahead of the 46664 concert.

 

With South African soccer player Lucas Radebe (L) and English soccer player David Beckham at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg, on May 21, 2003.

With model-actress Naomi Campbell for the 46664 World AIDS Day Concert at Gallagher Estate in Gauteng, South Africa, on Nov. 30, 2007.

 

Seen wiping the tears of American singer Whitney Houston at the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1994.

With actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith at the Fancourt Hotel & Country Club in George, South Africa, on March 20, 2005.

With singers Beyoncé (C) and Annie Lennox during the 46664: Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS concert on Robben Island on Nov. 28, 2003.

With chef Gordon Ramsay during a lunch to benefit the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund in Cape Town, South Africa, on April 3, 2009.

 

With singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo, ahead of 46664 Arctic concert at the Rica Hotel in Tromsø, Norway, on June 11, 2005.

 

With model Jodie Kidd and actor Samuel L. Jackson during the Nelson Mandela Invitational Golf Tournament at the Arabella Country Estate, South Africa, on Nov. 17, 2003.

With American singer Stevie Wonder in Pretoria, South Africa, on Feb. 6, 1996.

With members of the music band Black Eyed Peas — (L-R) Fergie, Taboo, Will.i.am and apl.de.ap — in Johannesburg, on May 29, 2006.

 

Main Image: Getty Images