Nelson Mandela: Rebel, Warrior, Leader

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, into the small tribe of Thembu located at Qunu, South Africa. As the son of Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Henry Mgalda Mandela, a chief councilor of the Thembu tribe, he was initially named as Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela but later changed his name to Nelson Mandela to fit into the society. Nelson Mandela achieved many things in his lifetime. One of his major achievements was his win against the unjust government in South Africa. He was able to get his people to be able to vote and that was never allowed, they were given rights and the British never thought they deserved them. Another achievement was when he ran for president and won. He was the first black president in South Africa. He ended up winning the Noel peace prize which is one of the greatest award one can ever get.

Nelson Mandela was the leader of South Africa because he accomplished what many could not. He ended apartheid laws, unified two racial groups and created justice for his people. Mandela's actions also affected the rest of the world. Through his actions, he let the world see that equality is possible. In 1993, Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize for the impact he made on the world. In 2009, The United Nations General Assembly declared Mandela's birthday as 'Mandela Day', as an effort to pay tribute and homage to his great work in the anti-apartheid movement. Mandela was recognized for 260 awards during his lifetime of dedication to what he believed in and most importantly his contributions to society. One great quote that Nelson Mandela illustrated was, After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent.

The simple act of being able to control one's person. firstly I think this is a great quote because people today don't appreciate what they have and take everything for granted. The meaning of this quote is expressing freedom and how we should appreciate it more due to the fact that some don't even have rights. Secondly, this quote sums up what Nelson Mandela has been fighting for throughout his legacy to guide society as a whole to accept one another for any racial reasons. thirdly, Nelson Mandela wrote this quote off experience, considering he served 27 years in 1962 for conspiring to overthrow the state following the Rivonia Trial. Nelson Mandela is a name that cannot be pronounced without mentioning the apartheid. At least, without thinking about it. Since the beginning of this fight, he has been the symbol of a generation who wanted and who needed a change in its own country.

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