On July 18, 1918, Nelson Mandela was born. He was a South African activist, statesman, and revolutionary who fought to free South Africa and served as its first president from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first Black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. 
This is written by one of the ISKCON devotees.  He attended ISKCON’s Ratha Yatra in South Africa several times while he was president of the nation. The first time Bhakti Tirtha Swami met him, during their conversation, Maharaja quoted a verse from the Gita. Halfway through the verse, Mandela quoted the rest of it. BT Swami was surprised. He asked, “You know the Gita?” Mandela said, “Try me.” Every Gita verse Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja knew, Nelson knew as well. 
Naturally, BT Swami asked, “How is this?” Nelson Mandela explained that he was imprisoned on Robbins Island along with some of his fellow leaders of their political party, the ANC. One of them was an Indian-bodied lawyer. The South African government tried to break them by giving them mindless labor and routine. Realizing that they needed to keep their minds actively engaged, the Indian lawyer taught Nelson Mandela Gita verses, which they quoted and discussed back and forth to transcend their daily drudgery. Nelson Mandela told Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja that learning the Gita helped keep him sane and greatly influenced his worldview and strategies for bringing independence and a better future for the South African people. Bhakti Chaitanya Maharaja, the GBC for South Africa, adds: “When Mr. Mandela visited our temple the first time (he came several times thereafter as well), he with dignity but humility, bowed before Srila Prabhupada, and then asked (me) “How did he do it?”, meaning how did Srila Prabhupada spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. We then had a brief discussion about how Srila Prabhupada gave Krishna consciousness to people of all nationalities and types, without discrimination. Mr. Mandela was deeply struck by this and very appreciative of Srila Prabhupada.
By Bhakti Caitanya Swami
In 1992, shortly after his release from prison and before he became President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela visited our Sri Sri Radha Radha Natha temple in Durban, South Africa. I got to show him around.
On the whole, he was very nice, but the most interesting thing was when we went into the temple room. We took him over to see Srila Prabhupada, and he offered obeisances. Then he and I sat down on the other side of the temple room and spoke for a little while. I was explaining about our movement and what Srila Prabhupada did to establish it – how he traveled single-handedly from India and got everything started.
At one point, Mr Mandela asked me, in a very pointed way, “How did he do it?” he was really struck by Srila Prabhupada and his achievements in the face of adversity. So, I explained further about how Srila Prabhupada was spiritually empowered, and he appreciated that.

He also liked prasadam a lot.
Mr. Mandela returned to our temple in 1994, when he was President, for an official visit. I wasn't there at the time, so I don’t know the details of that visit, but I understand it went very well.
Then, in 1997, our Durban Food for Life devotees put on a large-scale program for 40,000 school children in a stadium, and Mr Mandela attended. He was only meant to stay for an hour or so, but he ended up staying for maybe four or five hours, and afterward said it had been the happiest day of his life. That day, he interacted with various devotees on several occasions and saw very clearly that it was a Hare Krishna program, so it certainly had a great impact on his heart.
Now he has moved off to his next lifetime, but I’m sure there are significant benefits there on the transcendental platform for him
Core Teachings and Verses
1. Detachment from Results Teaching: Focus entirely on your actions rather than worrying about the outcome. Verse 2.47: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.
2. Inner Strength and Resilience Teaching: The true self is immortal and cannot be destroyed by external hardships. Verse 2.23: Weapons cannot shred the soul, nor can fire burn it.
3. Equanimity of Mind Teaching: Maintain mental balance during both success and failure. Verse 2.48: " Perform your duty equipoised, abandoning all attachment to success or failure.

Sanskrit Slokas recited at Mandela’s Memorial Services on December 9 2013
Sanskrit Shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita were recited today at a historic memorial service for anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

More than 85,000 people attended the service at the FNB stadium near Johannesburg and millions more witnessed it across the globe.

The Shlokas were recited by Pundit Ashwin Trikamjee, who is the President of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha.
Specific verses and teachings from the Bhagavad Gita?
The primary teaching of the Bhagavad Gita revolves around Nishkama Karma, which translates to performing one's duty without attachment to the results.
Your donations are appreciated;
By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com
PayPal: savetemples.org
By Check: GHHF, 14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, TX 75035.
By Rupees: call 601-918-7111; +91 83096 43979