Madiba

Nelson Mandela led the fight against apartheid in South Africa for several decades. He spent nearly 26 years in prison for his efforts. The international community campaigned for many years to get him released. Finally, he was freed on 11 February 1990. The event was broadcast live all over the world.
He worked tirelessly to help South Africa move toward reconciliation and a multi-racial democracy. In 1994, he became his country’s first black president and served for five years before stepping down in 1999. He has won many awards in his life, but perhaps his greatest is the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Since his retirement from South African politics, he has remained active on the world stage. One of his biggest commitments is in the fight against AIDS.
The United Nations General Assembly has created a special day to celebrate Nelson Mandela. July 18th, Mandela’s birthday, is now officially Nelson Mandela International Day. The UN recognises Mandela’s contributions towards improving race relations and human rights. He is today one of the world’s most respected statesmen.