A decade after Nelson Mandela’s death, his pro-Palestinian legacy lives on

Mandela was close to Palestinian leader ArafatANC still strongly supports Palestinian causeSouth Africa has suspended relations with Israel over Gaza

FILE PHOTO: Nelson Mandela (L) is embraced by PLO leader Yasser Arafat as he arrives at Lusaka airport February 27, 1990. REUTERS/Howard Burditt/File Photo

Carien du Plessis and Shafiek Tassiem

Days after his release from 27 years in prison in February 1990, anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela gave Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat a bear hug, symbolising his embrace of a cause his country's governing ANC party continues to champion.

It was a gesture as controversial then as South Africa's support for the Palestinian cause is today, but Mandela brushed off criticism.