Nelson Mandela: Current Reflections on a Living Legacy

Prayers and well-wishes are sent from around the world.

Iconic Freedom Fighter Receives Moving Tributes - As we wait for news and updates on Nelson Mandela’s condition, the world reflects on the living legend and the momentous legacy he is slated to leave behind.  — Patrice Peck(Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

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Iconic Freedom Fighter Receives Moving Tributes - As we wait for news and updates on Nelson Mandela’s condition, the world reflects on the living legend and the momentous legacy he is slated to leave behind.  — Patrice Peck(Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

Mandela Watch Begins - The world watches and waits as former South African president Nelson Mandela continues to battle a recurring lung infection in a Pretoria hospital. The government has released several statements saying that Mandela remains in a serious, but stable condition. This is the fourth time this year that the 94-year-old icon has been hospitalized for respiratory problems.(Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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Mandela Watch Begins - The world watches and waits as former South African president Nelson Mandela continues to battle a recurring lung infection in a Pretoria hospital. The government has released several statements saying that Mandela remains in a serious, but stable condition. This is the fourth time this year that the 94-year-old icon has been hospitalized for respiratory problems.(Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Jacob Zuma Encouraged by Progress in Mandela’s Health - On Mandela’s fifth day in the hospital, South African President Jacob Zuma said that the leader had begun responding better to treatment. "We are very happy with the progress that he is now making following a difficult last few days," Zuma told Parliament on Wednesday, June 12.(Photo: REUTERS/Mujahid Safodien)

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Jacob Zuma Encouraged by Progress in Mandela’s Health - On Mandela’s fifth day in the hospital, South African President Jacob Zuma said that the leader had begun responding better to treatment. "We are very happy with the progress that he is now making following a difficult last few days," Zuma told Parliament on Wednesday, June 12.(Photo: REUTERS/Mujahid Safodien)

Mandela's Family Descends on Hospital - Members of the Mandela family have been visiting the anti-apartheid leader at the hospital. Visits from Mandela's granddaughter Ndileka Mandela (left) and daughter Makaziwe Mandela indicate the severity of his health.(Photo: STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)

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Mandela's Family Descends on Hospital - Members of the Mandela family have been visiting the anti-apartheid leader at the hospital. Visits from Mandela's granddaughter Ndileka Mandela (left) and daughter Makaziwe Mandela indicate the severity of his health.(Photo: STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images

Second Wife Winnie Mandela Visits Ailing Icon - On June 10, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (left), the African National Congress lawmaker and former wife of Nelson Mandela, and their daughter Zindzi were spotted leaving the hospital where the leader has been admitted. (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Second Wife Winnie Mandela Visits Ailing Icon - On June 10, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (left), the African National Congress lawmaker and former wife of Nelson Mandela, and their daughter Zindzi were spotted leaving the hospital where the leader has been admitted. (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

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He Is a "Fighter" - Mandela's daughter Zindzi reportedly told The Guardian, "I've seen my father and he's well. He's a fighter." (Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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He Is a "Fighter" - Mandela's daughter Zindzi reportedly told The Guardian, "I've seen my father and he's well. He's a fighter." (Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Children Pay Tribute to Madiba - Children from the Rainbow-Hill Christian school sang well wishes to Madiba outside of his home in Johannesburg. "We are here today because of him. If it was not for him we were supposed to be not here,” Madame Zodwa, a teacher at the school, told NBC News. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

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Children Pay Tribute to Madiba - Children from the Rainbow-Hill Christian school sang well wishes to Madiba outside of his home in Johannesburg. "We are here today because of him. If it was not for him we were supposed to be not here,” Madame Zodwa, a teacher at the school, told NBC News. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

Well-Wishes Sent From Around the World - The iconic leader has also received an outpouring of support from the international community. In Puri, India, artist Sudarshan Pattnaik built a sand sculpture created in the likeness of Mandela to wish him a speedy recovery.  President Obama and Michelle Obama wished Mandela a "speedy recovery" on Tuesday (June 11). (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)

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Well-Wishes Sent From Around the World - The iconic leader has also received an outpouring of support from the international community. In Puri, India, artist Sudarshan Pattnaik built a sand sculpture created in the likeness of Mandela to wish him a speedy recovery.  President Obama and Michelle Obama wished Mandela a "speedy recovery" on Tuesday (June 11). (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)

Photo By Photo: REUTERS/Stringer

Prayer for the Former Leader - Across the globe, concerned individuals have looked to prayer to revitalize Mandela's health. These immense displays of faith have sparked the difficult discussion as to whether South Africans should prepare to let the symbolic South African leader go.(Photo: AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

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Prayer for the Former Leader - Across the globe, concerned individuals have looked to prayer to revitalize Mandela's health. These immense displays of faith have sparked the difficult discussion as to whether South Africans should prepare to let the symbolic South African leader go.(Photo: AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

Soweto Congregation Remembers Madiba - A congregation at the Regina Mundi church held a Sunday Mass in Soweto, a historic South African township deeply embroiled in apartheid history. “I am coming to church today with Madiba in my thoughts. I want him to get well,” churchgoer Nokuthula Tshibasa, 38, told AFP, using Mandela’s clan name.(Photo: ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Soweto Congregation Remembers Madiba - A congregation at the Regina Mundi church held a Sunday Mass in Soweto, a historic South African township deeply embroiled in apartheid history. “I am coming to church today with Madiba in my thoughts. I want him to get well,” churchgoer Nokuthula Tshibasa, 38, told AFP, using Mandela’s clan name.(Photo: ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Apartheid Museum Welcomes Visitors  - An exhibit centered on Mandela's life allowed visitors to reflect on the former leader's life at Johannesburg's Apartheid Museum. Known for helping to put an end to the racist apartheid regime, Mandela represents hope and progression for many South Africans. (Photo: AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

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Apartheid Museum Welcomes Visitors - An exhibit centered on Mandela's life allowed visitors to reflect on the former leader's life at Johannesburg's Apartheid Museum. Known for helping to put an end to the racist apartheid regime, Mandela represents hope and progression for many South Africans. (Photo: AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A Celebrated Legacy of Freedom - As reports continue to circulate of Mandela’s declining health, many have begun to envision a South Africa without him. The freedom fighter’s widely heralded legacy will include lessons in activism, forgiveness, reconciliation and self-determination.(Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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A Celebrated Legacy of Freedom - As reports continue to circulate of Mandela’s declining health, many have begun to envision a South Africa without him. The freedom fighter’s widely heralded legacy will include lessons in activism, forgiveness, reconciliation and self-determination.(Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)