Homework submission @steemiteducation. The freedom fighter and first democratic president of South Africa called Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Great men have come and gone, however in the history of South Africa, there remains an unforgettable man who was the father of the country’s democracy and an advocator for education. This freedom fighter was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela by name.
He was incarcerated for 27 years for being an opponent against the apartheid of the apartheid government of the South African country but in the long run he ended being called and described as “mandiba” the father of the nation.

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Nelson Mandela
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His birth and education

Born on 18 July 1918, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African political reformer, politician, leader, philanthropist and activist. His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and His father Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa Mandela was a local leader of the Tembu tribe. His father and most of his family members weren’t educated, however Mandela was lucky to be fully educated. His name Nelson (English name) was given to him by his English teacher(Miss Mdingane) on the first day at school, He later studied law after studying at university college of Fort Hare and university of the Witwatersrand.
Having failed his final year three times for concentrating more on politics for three years, Nelson Mandela was denied his degree in 1949.
In 1962, after his imprisonment, he started studying again through the University of but also didn’t complete that degree. However, in 1989, during the last months of his imprisonment, he obtained a bachelor degree in Law (LLB) through the University of South Africa. He graduated being away at a ceremony in Cape Town.
His impacts
In South Africa Mandela was considered as both "The father of the nation" and "The founding father of democracy". Worldwide, he was usually considered as a global icon and considered one of the most venerated figures of our time. He was often considered alongside Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi as one of the 20th century's admirably and commendable anti-racist and anti-colonial leaders.

His fame emerged when he was imprisioned in the 1980’s, around which he became the world’s famous prisoner, which was as a result of going against the apartheid rule in his country. This made him become an icon for people who cogitate the ideal for equality ( in human right).

In terms of achievements, Nelson Mandela was responsible for

.Stopping racism and ensuring racial reconcialiation: during his rule, he focused on destroying the legacy of apartheid by mitigating institutionalised racism and stimulating racial reconcialiation.

.He served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.

.He was the first democratically elected black South Africa president.
.He was inaugurated on 10TH May 1994 and left office in 1999 showing how trustworthy he was as he had promised only one term.
.He worked tirelessly for the Nelson Mandela children fund which he created in 1995. He later founded and created the Mandela Rhodes Foundation and Nelson Mandela Foundation.

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In terms of contribution to education also, he contributed immensely, he launched the NMI (Nelson Mandela Institute) which was one of the panacea for reducing the education crisis in rural Africa.

Mandela’s Notable work titled “long walk to freedom” was an autobiography he wrote while in prison. The work was published in December 1994. It also contained interview with Richard Stengel (An American journalist)

In terms of awards, laurels, prizes, honorary degrees, and accolades, Nelson Mandela received more than 250 of these throughout his life including citizenships of different countries as a result of his political achievements. He was the first person in history to be made an honorary Canadian citizen. He also received Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and many other more.
He was also honoured in 1990 as the Bharat Ratna of India, while in 1992 he was revered with Nishan-e-Pakistan by Pakistan. In 1992 also, Turkey awarded him the Atatürk Peace Award which he refused collecting but later accepted the award in 1999.

In 2008 a statue of Mandela was unveiled at the place where Mandela was released from incarceration and another statue (bronze statue) located at Pretoria's Union Buildings was unveiled in 2013. July 18 has been regarded as “Mandela’s day” (which was gotten from his birthday) as a result of his contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle this was announced in November 2009 during the United Nations General Assembly.

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Mandela statue

Nelson R. Mandela died at home On December 5 2013 (about 4 years ago), at the age of 95 after a lengthened and recurring respiratory disease which started since 2011.

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