Inspiring People

Nelson Mandela

Some of the qualities of Nelson Mandela are that he has great courage, tolerance, forgiveness, compassion and thankfulness.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (born 18 July 1918) is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in fully representative democratic elections. In August 1954 Nelson Mandela opened South Africa's first black law firm in central Johannesburg.

Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist and leader of the African National Congress. He spent 27 years in prison, much of it on Robben Island. Among opponents of apartheid in South Africa and internationally, he became a symbol of freedom and equality.

Following his release from prison in February 11, 1990, he helped lead the change to multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, he has been widely praised, even by former opponents.

Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He is currently a celebrated elder statesman who continues to voice his opinion on topical issues. In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.

Mandela has frequently credited Mahatma Gandhi for being a major source of inspiration in his life, both for the philosophy of non-violence and for facing adversity with dignity. Many people admire him because ha has said that he forgives the people who were responsible for keeping him in jail for so long.