As the first democratically elected leader of South Africa, Mandela’s legacy is recognised for dismantling apartheid, championing human rights and for the reconciliation among the white and Black communities of SA through the establishment of a multi-cultural democratic setup. Image credit: AFP
Born on July 18, 1918, into the Thembu royal family in the Union of SA, Mandela went onto study law and actively participated in the anti-apartheid movement since his youth days. He also co-founded the youth wing of African National Congress Party called the Youth League in 1944. As an African nationalist, socialist and as an activist influenced by Marxism, Mandela was instrumental in introducing land reforms, strengthening public healthcare services and combating poverty through economic policies directed towards social equality. In the picture: A photo taken on October 29, 1989 shows supporters holding a portrait of Nelson Mandela during an African National Congress (ANC) rally, held at a new football stadium, between Johannesburg and Soweto, to welcome recently released prisoners. Image credit: AFP
As a member of the ANC and an active participant of anti-apartheid movements across SA, Mandela was arrested multiple times under seditious charges by the state. In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment with fellow party leaders. His time in prison was marked by his soaring reputation as one of the most significant and popular Black leaders spearheading the fight against racial discrimination. In the picture: A statue of Nelson Mandela is seen holding a Black Lives Matter placard in central London after a demonstration outside the US Embassy, on June 7, 2020, organised to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Image credit: AFP
After his release in 1960, he went on to become the President of ANC and led the party to victory in the 1994 multi-racial general election. The negotiation that followed led to the formation of a new Constitution and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which also initiated an inquiry into past human rights violation cases. Image credit: AFP
As an ‘elder statesman’ after retirement from politics, he was actively involved in philanthropy activities including trusts and non-profit organisations working towards health, education and other welfare rights of the marginalised communities. In addition to over 250 honours for his social justice work, Mandela was also conferred the Nobel Peace Prize. He is also popularly known in South Africa as the Father of the Nation. Image credit: AFP
If one wants to read more about the iconic leader of the people, these titles authored by the Mandela must be the primary references--‘Nelson Mandela Speaks: Forging a Democratic, Nonracial South Africa’, ‘Long Walk to Freedom. The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela’, ‘ The Struggle Is My Life’. In the picture: A man walks near a mural by Italian street artist Jorit Agoch, entitlied "Il Condominio dei Diritti" (The Condominium of Rights). Image credit: AFP
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