Remembering Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela International Day, first declared by the UN and celebrated in 2009, was celebrate this year on Mandela's birthday, July 18 2014, for the first time since Mandela's death. The day is meant to honour Mandela and to remind people of his life and work, to encourage others to fight for peace, combat poverty and work for a better world for everyone. Today, all over the world, leaders and citizens are considering the life of the former president of South African, and considering how they can contribute in the wake of his death last December.

Nelson Mandela, the son of a chief and the grandson of a king, led a legendary life. He became the first black president of South African, elected in 1994, after serving 27 years in prison on a charge of conspiring to overthrow the government. As a student at the University of Witwatersran, where he was the only native black student enrolled, Mandela became acquainted with activists, and began working to oppose colonization. He attained a leadership position in the African National Congress and worked in campaigns to end apartheid, the government-enforced segregation of South Africa. In 1962, he was arrested for his anti-government activities, and tried for sabotage and conspiracy. After a guilty verdict, he was sentenced to life in prison. In prison, Mandela was kept in a small damp cell, and performed forced labour during the day. In 1990, Mandela was finally released. South African president F.W. De Klerk and Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and the country's first election for people of all races was held the year after that.

Mandela's subsequent presidency saw the unification of the ACN and the Afrikaners in South Africa and the end of apartheid. Leaders in many fields throughout the world consider Mandela an influence, including Tunde Folawiyo. For more on the businessman’s life and interests, readers can find post from Tunde Folawiyo on YouTube. Mandela's legacy is one of courage, long-suffering, and ultimately peace. Even with threats to his life (he faced the possibility of the death penalty after his 1962 arrest), Mandela maintained his principles. After spending nearly three decades is prison, he emerged not seeking revenge, but peace, justice and equal treatment under the law for all of the citizens of South Africa. The largest lesson from Mandela's life may be to forgive your enemies, and it is advice we still need to hear today.