Nelson Mandela: 1918 - 2013
As I'm sure you're all aware by now, humanity lost one of the greats last Thursday, December 5th. Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa from 1994-1999, passed away in his home. The cause of death was a lung infection Mandela had been fighting for months. He was 95 years old. Nelson is survived by his 6 children.
A well known, well liked politician; Mandela accomplished many things during his Presidency in South Africa. He tackled institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, and fostered racial reconciliation amongst his people.
Nelson wasn’t always politically potent, and actually spent 27 years jailed as a political prisoner. An international campaign lobbied for his release. He was released in 1990, during a time of escalating civil strife. Mandela joined negotiations with President F.W. de Klerk to abolish apartheid and establish multicultural elections in 1994, in which he led the ANC to victory and became South Africa's first black president. His actions leading to his presidency and ending the racial segregation of South Africa earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. He and his predecessor were awarded the prize together in 1993, shortly before Mandela was elected the first black president of South Africa; something that would have been impossible just a year before.
Nelson Mandela was truly a Peacemonger; one who dealt in Peace. Peace was his life, as we try to make it ours. With diligent effort on all our parts, we can make this world equal to the vision of this great man. A world where we can all live together, love together, work together and grow together… In Peace.
In memorial of this great Peace Hero, Peacemonger.org will be releasing a line of Nelson Mandela Quote products to further immortalize his words and ideas. Keep your eyes peeled, we'll announce these stickers in a coming newsletter.