Nelson Mandela is one of the most well-known characters who left us forever in the last year. His full name is Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and he was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, Cape Province, Union of South Africa. He was a politician, an anti-apartheid revolutionary and above all he was the President of South Africa for just 5 years from May 10, 1994 to June 14, 1999. He is known as the first black chief executive in South Africa and was the first one to be elected in democratic election which is completely representative. The main concerns of his government were to fight apartheid, solve the problem of racism in different institutions, tackle the problem of poverty and spread equality among people.
Nelson Mandela’s role as a politician was not limited to being the President of South Africa for 5 years. He played other roles as a politician whether it is nationally or internationally. On the national level, he was the President of the African National Congress or ANC for about 6 years from 1991 to 1997. On the international level, he was the Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement and this was from 1998 to 1999.
As a result of being involved in different protests and playing different political roles, Nelson Mandela was arrested and he spent a long time of his life in prison. He was imprisoned for more than 27 years in different prisons starting from Robben Island where he spent 18 years and after that in Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison. Mandela was released in 1990 after asking for his release in an international campaign.
Nelson Mandela decided to investigate the past human rights abuses and this is why he created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. During his tenure, he focused on tackling poverty, reforming land, spreading equality and improving healthcare services in his country. Nelson Mandela also tried to solve international problems as he was a mediator between the United Kingdom and Libya in the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing trial.
Nelson Mandela received many awards and honors for his activism and for being a peace maker. He was awarded over 250 honors such as the Nobel Peace Prize, the Bharat Ratna, the Soviet Order of Lenin, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and other awards as an appreciation for his activism and his attempts for spreading peace.
Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95 on December 5, 2013 at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa after suffering from respiratory infection for a long time. His funeral was held in Qunu, South Africa and there were many important characters from around the world who cared about attending to see him for the last time.
To the man who was always described as
“The Father of the Nation”
Rest in Peace