The former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela, has dedicated his life to fighting for racial equality and is considered a pacifist leader.
After spending 27 years in prison, Mandela became the first black president of South Africa after winning the country’s first multiracial elections in 1994.
These are the 10 most important events that marked the life of Mandela, whose centenary birthday was celebrated on 18th July 2018 (100 years ) is celebrated in South Africa and the rest of the world as Nelson Mandela day
- Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, a town near Umtata, South Africa.
- In 1942, he graduated as a lawyer at the University of the Witwatersrand.
- In 1962 he was arrested and sentenced for sabotage, in addition to other charges, to life imprisonment. He spent 27 years in prison, most of which he was confined to the Robben Island prison.
- After his release on February 11, 1990, Mandela led his party in the negotiations to achieve a multiracial democracy in South Africa, which was achieved in 1994 with the first democratic elections by universal suffrage.
- Mandela won the elections and was president from 1994 to 1999.
- He received more than 250 international awards and recognitions for decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.
- He married three times, first with Evelyn Mase in 1943, then with Winnie Madikizela in 1958 and finally with Graça Machel in 1998.
- Together with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, besides Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, he was the only foreigner to has been distinguished with Bharat Ratna, India’s most prestigious civil prize in 1958.
- In 2004 Mandela retired from political life.
- In January 2011, Mandela was hospitalized for a respiratory infection. He later died in 2013
Messages From Top 10 International Celebs On Mandela’s 100th Day
1.Barack Obama- Ex US 44th President
Mandela Day is about taking action to change the world for the better. In these young people, I see Madiba's example of persistence and hope. They are poised to make this world more peaceful, more prosperous, and more just. pic.twitter.com/GJDuOs1hkH
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 18, 2018
2.John F Kennedy Foundation- Late US 35th President
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela
Today marks the the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth. Members of the Kennedy family honored the South African leader at the Library in 1990. #Mandela100 pic.twitter.com/UwWT4j2ZKa
— JFK Library (@JFKLibrary) July 18, 2018
3.Nana Akufo-Addo- Ghana’s President
Nelson Mandela gave us an example of sacrifice, of dedication to principle, and of devotion to freedom that is without equal in the annals of Africa's modern history. @MandelaDay #Mandela100 #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/gV3KsjxOLm
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) July 18, 2018
4.Naomi Campbell- US Model and actress
PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY TATA, THIS IS THE YEAR OF MANDELA! AS WE STILL STRIVE FOR EQUALITY, JUSTICE and PEACE.
I WILL FOREVER BE BLESSED FOR THE 20 YEARS OF LOVE, WISDOM AND GUIDANCE. I LOVE YOU ALWAYS ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🇿🇦🙏🏾. #NM100 #NELSONMANDELADAY pic.twitter.com/x4anSczJwI
— Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) July 18, 2018
5. Christiano Ronaldo- Real Madrid soccer legend
Cristiano Ronaldo pays homage to Nelson Mandela on this #MandelaDay100. 🙏🏼🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/jHymRYR24J
— Kick Off (@KickOffMagazine) July 18, 2018
6,Melinda Gates- Bill Gates’s wife. (Gates is second richest billionaire on earth )
Nelson Mandela was one of my personal heroes. His relentless commitment to advancing equality and justice was deeply inspiring—and so was the warmth and compassion he brought to his work. On #Mandela100, we celebrate the legacy of a remarkable leader. #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/o0hvIac5h3
— Melinda French Gates (@melindagates) July 18, 2018
7.Pele- Brazil football legend
Nelson Mandela would have turned 100 today. He said that sport has the power to change the world – and he was right. Let's keep playing. // @NelsonMandela completaria 100 anos hoje. Ele disse que o esporte tem o poder de mudar o mundo – e ele tinha razão. Vamos continuar jogando. pic.twitter.com/1bzakqI7tX
— Pelé (@Pele) July 18, 2018
8.Bill Gates – 2nd most richest person on earth
Nelson Mandela was tireless in his pursuit of equality and justice for all. As we celebrate #Mandela100, let’s resolve to do everything we can to create the world he dreamed of. #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/HUDuRrgX7R
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) July 18, 2018
9.Tim Cook- Apple CEO
Nelson Mandela’s sacrifice and triumph teach us what a powerful impact one person can have. “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” #Mandela100 pic.twitter.com/zZ4qAh7Izg
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) July 18, 2018
10.Bill Clinton- US 42 second President
On what would have been his 100th birthday, when his vision for an inclusive community is once again under attack in the U.S. and across the world, we should remember Nelson Mandela not just for who he was, but also for his conviction about who we can still become. #MandelaDay pic.twitter.com/kNs9Te6UuG
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 18, 2018
11.Justin Trudeau- Canadian PM
On Nelson #MandelaDay, we celebrate Nelson Mandela’s legacy as a beacon to all those who struggle for freedom and justice: https://t.co/pfjtwCj2iC
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 18, 2018
