From the 1940s to the 1990s, South Africa lived under the apartheid regime, which meant that people were racially segregated. Black people were not allowed to vote and were denied many of the rights given to white people. Mandela was a strong anti-apartheid activist. The apartheid government did not tolerate opposition, and his activism caused him to be imprisoned for 27 years. Mandela was released from prison on February 11, 1990. Later on, Mandela became the first african president for South Africa, in 1994. Mandela retired in 1999, and later died in 2013. Mandela was a leader among leaders, he changed South Africa in many ways. Mandela United South Africa, Ended Apartheid, and became the first colored president South Africa had.
Nelson Mandela united the two racially divided parts of South Africa. According to The Daily News, Mandela united South Africa through sports,,
“On June 24, 1995, Mandela and South Africa were triumphant. And he may just have saved a country by pulling on that green and gold jersey with a prancing antelope on the left breast. The Springboks were dear to the hearts of South Africa’s white Afrikaners and loathed by
…show more content…
When Mandela wore that green and gold jersey with a prancing antelope on the left breast, he represented the entire country of South Africa, he showed South Africa as a whole rather than the whites and the colored. Also, in a speech five years after South Africa’s legendary rugby game, Mandela was quoted saying, “Sports have the power to change the world, They have the power to inspire, and the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” When Mandela said this, he was saying that sports have the ability to change the world, and unite people in a different way that little else does. Mandela used this tactic to his advantage and united the two racially segregated parts of South Africa, thus leaving behind him a legacy. Additionally, The Nelson Mandela Page,