It's been 45 years since Nelson Mandela was sent to prison for more than two decades and 14 years since his election as president of South Africa heralded the end of apartheid. Few have endured and accomplished what he has. Now, to commemorate his 90th birthday, Time is picking his brain to find out the tools that make a great leader.

Perhaps they should send a copy to Robert Mugabe?

Also check out the magazine's photo essay of Mandela's life.

So, how'd we get here, 90 years later?

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APARTHEID ENDURES "Whites in South Africa earn five times more than their black counterparts on average, according to a new study, illustrating the enduring legacy of apartheid 14 years after its abolition. A study done for the UASA union made waves in the Rainbow Nation last week when it showed that whites bring home 450 percent more than blacks on average and 400 percent more than their mixed race peers. In line with the global trend, education is the single biggest determinant of earning power, it concluded, but in a country with South Africa's history the issue has a powerful racial dimension. 'That blacks weren't allowed on to certain beaches (during the apartheid era of whites-only rule) can be changed overnight but education has a long-lasting legacy,' said the author of the research …"

APARTHEID AFTERSHOCKS Hampered by conflicts of interest, the U.S. Supreme Court had no choice but rule to allow a multibillion-dollar federal lawsuit from South African blacks and others against U.S. and foriegn companies to proceed. The plaintiffs say that the companies should be held liable for assisting South Africa's former apartheid government. Since Justices John Roberts, Stephen Breyer, and Samuel Alito held stock in some of the companies named in the suit, and Justice Anthony Kennedy's son is a top manager at Credit Suisse, the four of them had to recluse themselves from the hearing. Without a quorum, they let a lower-court ruling allowing the suit to go forward stand. [CNN]