Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela is one of the most, humble selfless and kind presidents Africa has had. It often hard for many to pair his soft-spoken nature with his passion for justice, freedom and political transparency.
Mandela was a catalyst for several uproars in South Africa that led to the country’s freedom and the fair treatment of blacks on their own land. His boldness caused many other nationalists to rise up and speak in confidence, which slowly instigated rivalry and tension between white and blacks in South Africa.
In 1963, Mandela, alongside 12 other ‘controversial South African politicians, was arrested and convicted for sabotage after being found in Liliesleafarm Farm in Rivonia, where they had been hiding for two years. At the time, Mandela had been listed as a terrorist by the U.S. government after evading the police and going into hiding since 1961.
Following his capture, Mandela gave his popular ‘I am Ready To Die’ speech, in which stated his readiness to die for a peaceful but free South Africa. He was later sentenced to death after being found guilty. While in prison, he often wrote many letters pleading with the people to remain peaceful but to never neglect the fight for what they believed in. His call for peace and willingness to die for a peaceful country earned him the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.
