Nelson Mandela's Journey To End Apartheid

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Nelson Mandela was one of the most influential figures to have ever lived because he helped end apartheid and fought for the rights of African Americans in South Africa.Even though he was arrested and had to live a harsh life because of his desire for apartheid to end.Even after he managed to get apartheid abolished he continued to fights and support other battles such as the fight against Aids.
Nelson Mandela was born as Rolihlahla Mandela on July 18, 1918 in the village of Mvezo, Transkei.His name interestingly meant troublemaker(Source #4).His father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa was the chief of Mvezo and his mother, Nosekeni Fanny was his third wife.They had 13 children including Mandela, with 9 of them being boys and 4 being girls.(Source …show more content…

On April 1994, Mandela also won South Africa 's first non-discriminated elections and became South Africa 's first African American president. He only was in office for one term however as he didn 't wish to serve another term(Source #2).On 1998 Mandela divorced Winnie Mandela who he had been married to for 40 years and married Graca Machel, the widow of the former deceased president of Mozambique, Samora Machel.By 1999, Nelson Mandela had retired from politics but not from life(Source #4).He continued his work by fundraising money for schools and clinics. He also remained a negotiator during a civil war in Burundi(Source #1). Nelson Mandela later created a group called The Elders, in 2007, which was an independent group which devoted to ending problems that hinder society today such as world hunger and human suffering(Source #5).In 2002, Mandela also became a national advocate for AIDS awareness and treatment. Later one of Mandela 's sons who was named Makgatho passed away from the disease in 2005. Apparently South Africa is the country with the most people affected by AIDS.(Source #5). Nelson Mandela finally got his own day to commemorate his work and recognize him. Mandela Day is observed on Mandela 's birthday to recognize and commemorate Nelson Mandela and to promote community service. It was first observed on July 18,2009 and was decreed by the United Nations later that year as Nelson Mandela International day(Source #2).Unfortunately, after a lengthy life Nelson Mandela died at his Johannesburg home on Dec. 5, 2013.He was buried in Qunu, his hereditary home.(Source