Mandela Meets with Fellow Activists Ahead of 90th Birthday

The closed reunion, in which Mandela met 20 activists charged with him for treason and defiance against white minority rule, was part of festivities ahead of Mandela's 90th birthday on July 18.

Achmat Dangor, chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement it was Mandela's wish that the survivors of the trials should meet.

"This is in line with his view that the struggle was fought and won by a collective and not by an individual. He wishes that their roles in the liberation struggle be acknowledged and honoured," he said.

Mandela and others were tried for defiance against apartheid laws in 1952 and he faced his first treason trial in 1956. In 1964, he and seven of his colleagues were sentenced to life in prison.

But many famous figures from the past - including Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and Joe Slovo - have died since Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990.

With his 90th birthday just four months away, Mr Mandela appears to be in good health, although his public appearances have been significantly reduced, and he looks increasingly frail.