Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, (born July 18, 1918), was the first democratically elected President of South Africa, having previously been a prominent anti-apartheid activist there. Initially committed to non-violence, he later became involved in the planning of underground armed resistance activities, such as sabotage. Mandela's 27-year imprisonment, much of which he spent in a tiny prison cell on Robben Island, became one of the most widely publicised examples of apartheid's injustices. Upon his release in 1990, the policy of reconciliation he pursued enabled a peaceful transition to a new, democratic South Africa - an enormous achievement which many South Africans believe would have been impossible without his influence.

Retirement

After his retirement as President in 1999, Mandela went on to become an advocate for a variety of social and human rights organisations. He received many foreign honours, including the Order of St. John from Queen Elizabeth II and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush.

Related Topics:
1999 - Order of St. John - Queen Elizabeth II - Presidential Medal of Freedom - George W. Bush

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As an example of his popular acclaim, in his tour of Canada in 1998, he included a speaking engagement in SkyDome in the city of Toronto where he spoke to 45,000 school children who greeted him with intense adulation. In 2001, he was the first living foreigner to be made an honourary Canadian citizen (the first, Raoul Wallenberg, was posthumously made a Canadian citizen) as well as being one of the few foreign leaders to receive the Order of Canada.

Related Topics:
Canada - 1998 - SkyDome - Toronto - 2001 - Raoul Wallenberg - Order of Canada

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In 2003, Mandela attacked the foreign policy of the George W. Bush administration in a number of speeches, going so far as calling Bush a racist for not following the UN and its secretary-general Kofi Annan (who is African) on the issue of the War in Iraq. "Is it because the secretary-general of the United Nations is now a black man? They never did that when secretary-generals were white," Mandela said.http://kdka.com/topstories/topstories_story_031073341.html The comments caused a rare moment of controversy and criticism for Mandela, even among some supporters.

Related Topics:
2003 - George W. Bush - Racist - UN - Kofi Annan - African - War in Iraq

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Later that same year, he lent his support to the 46664 AIDS fundraising campaign, named after his prison number.

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In June 2004 at age 85, Mandela announced that he would be retiring from public life. His health had been declining, and he wanted to enjoy more time with his family. He has made an exception, however, for his commitment to the fight against AIDS. In July 2004, he flew to Bangkok to speak at the XV International AIDS Conference. His eldest son, Makgatho Mandela, died of AIDS on 6 January 2005. http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=971337&tw=wn_wire_story

Related Topics:
June 2004 - AIDS - July 2004 - Bangkok - XV International AIDS Conference - Makgatho Mandela - 6 January - 2005

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Mandela has also expressed his support for the ONE Campaign, which forms part of the international Make Poverty History movement.

Related Topics:
ONE Campaign - Make Poverty History

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On July 23, 2004, the city of Johannesburg bestowed its highest honour on Mandela by granting him the freedom of the city at a ceremony in Orlando, Soweto.

Related Topics:
July 23 - 2004 - Johannesburg - Orlando - Soweto

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In 2005, Mandela became embroiled in a legal dispute with his former lawyer, Ismail Ayob, and others, who were accused of exploiting Mandela's name and reputation. The dispute revolves around the promotion and sale of allegedly fraudulent artworks bearing Mandela's name. The works commanded high prices on the international art market, but they are now widely regarded as being devoid of any real value.

Related Topics:
2005 - Ismail Ayob

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Today, Mandela remains a key figure to strong educational organizations that hold his ideals strongly of international understanding and peace, like the United World Colleges and the Round Square.

Related Topics:
United World Colleges - Round Square

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