The impact former South African president Nelson Mandela made on Toronto, with his message of tolerance and equality, is part of an exhibit currently on display in Brookfield Place’s Allen Lambert Galleria. Created by TO Live and the Toronto Star, Mandela — Through the Eyes of a City chronicles the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s three historic visits to Toronto.

“On my wall, I only have one world leader up, and it is a picture of Nelson Mandela,” said John Honderich, chair of the board of Torstar and former publisher of the Toronto Star. “I have always been, quite frankly, dazzled by the legacy of Nelson Mandela. I think he is the greatest statesman of the 20th century. I felt for the Star to be part of such a great event, was an opportunity we wouldn’t miss.”

Told through 20 panels, the exhibit uses archived Toronto Star newspaper pages and photographs to tell the story of Mandela’s historic 1990, 1998 and 2001 visits to the city as he shared his messages of peace and hope with Toronto residents.

It includes coverage of his visit to Queen’s Park, where a crowd of 30,000 gathered to hear him speak a few months after his release from prison in 1990, his address to 40,000 cheering schoolchildren at the SkyDome in 1998, and his 2001 visit, during which he received an honorary doctorate from Ryerson University and a Toronto school became the first outside South Africa to be named in his honour.

The Toronto Star was one of three sponsors that supported the SkyDome event, which was held to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund to assist South Africa’s children. Before the event, Honderich had the opportunity to meet Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel.

“You really feel you are in the presence of greatness. And, having met quite a few people in my life, I can say there are not many that generate that kind of feeling, but he certainly did,” said Honderich. “The lesson of forgiveness, the lesson of his ability to withstand the rigours of his imprisonment for all that time, his life story and his political story, they resonate in a way few others (leaders) ever have.”

TO Live president and CEO Clyde Wagner said the Brookfield Place exhibit is a teaser for Mandela, a comprehensive look at the life and legacy of the freedom fighter created by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It will open at the Meridian Arts Centre (formerly the Toronto Centre for the Arts) on Oct. 10.

Wagner said TO Live wanted to highlight Toronto’s role in the Mandela story. Both the city and Canada were active in the fight against apartheid and supported Mandela during his 10,000 days in prison. Both exhibits also reflect the organization’s mandate to inspire and engage Toronto residents through the arts and create conversations that reflect the city’s diversity.

“He had a charisma that lasted, and he was capable of expressing that with people; whether it was a child from one of the public schools or the SkyDome filled with people,” Wagner said. “It came down to what his message was, what was he saying. And, I think it is important and germane to how Canadians feel, and how Torontonians feel.

“What is important for us today is to remember what he stood for,” Wagner said. “We have to ensure that we are always holding to the rights that we believe in, and fighting for them, and pushing them forward. “

Having visited the Brookfield exhibit, Honderich said Mandela’s story, impact and message of tolerance recounted on the panels still resonate today. He said the Star wanted to be involved not only to keep Mandela’s legacy alive, but also to inspire the city’s younger generations.

“They probably know of him only through history books or class,” Honderich said. “I hope they are able to see it and enjoy it for what it means.”

Mandela — Through the Eyes of a City will be hosted at Brookfield Place at 181 Bay St. through Sept. 27.