Nelson Mandela received security training from Israeli agents, according to reports.

The South African anti-apartheid hero, who died this month aged 95, was trained in weaponry, judo and sabotage by Mossad during his struggle against the country’s white government in the 1960s.

According to a document from the Israel State Archives, the training took place months before the arrest of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1962.

Mr Mandela had taken a tour of African countries – including Ethiopia, Ghana and Algeria – to gather financial and military backing for the then-underground ANC.

The training took place in Ethiopia according to reports – where Mr Mandela was also encouraged to support Israel.