Philanthropy is a service to humanity. A passion or desire to promote the welfare of others by making donations or promoting good causes. We celebrate today, a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker who was willing to do the necessary to bring about a better tomorrow for his country and has shared his impact with the world at large.
Nelson Mandela born July 19, 1918 in South Africa
He is an activist recognized for his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.
He was born in South Africa were he was successful in leading the resistance to South Africa’s policy of apartheid in the 20th century, during which he was infamously incarcerated and helping to bring this regime to an end, for which he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1952, he established South Africa’s first black law practice, and became involved in drafting the Freedom Charter, a document calling for non-racial social democracy in South Africa.
Due to his protest and actions taken against the apartheid system, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 12, 1964 which led to international condemnation of apartheid. He was finally released from prison in February 11, 1990 by President de Klerk,.
After his release he was appointed as the Deputy President of the ANC- African National Congress party and later the President of the Party in July 1991 where he negotiated with President de Klerk to end apartheid and bring about a peaceful transition to non-racial democracy in South Africa.
In 1994, he participated in the first election by universal suffrage, where he emerged as the First Black President of South Africa. In May of that year, he created the first multi-ethnic government.
After one term in office, he handed over and retired from active politics but maintained a strong international presence as an advocate of peace, reconciliation and social justice, especially through the Nelson Mandela Foundation, established in 1999.
The Foundation has provided the base for his charitable work, covering a wide range of endeavors: from building schools to HIV/AIDS work, from research into education in rural areas to peace and reconciliation interventions. After his death, the organisation transitioned into one focused on memory, dialogue and legacy work by promoting discussions and dialogues on issues pertaining to human rights and democracy.
In recognition and celebration of his work in peace and social justice, he has received various honorary awards, commendation, monument including being the first person to receive the Freedom of the City of Sydney, Australia, in 1987 and in 1993 the Nobel Prize for Peace (with FW de Klerk).
He died December 5, 2013 in Johannesburg at age 95.
Learn more through his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom” (1994) and Volume of Memoirs released post humorously, “Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years” (2017)
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