Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is considered to be” the founding father of democracy” (Meredith,2010) in South Africa and is an example of how one person can bring about social and political changes. During his 27 years of incarceration, Mandela became the symbol of the movement in South Africa to end Apartheid. His release from prison on Feb 11, 1990 was a catalyst to enacting a democratic, multiracial South African government. In December of 1991 Mandela led negotiations for this purpose. June 3, 1993 the Convention for a Democratic South Africa opens the upcoming elections to all citizens. On April 26, 1994 22 million people turned out to vote. Nelson Mandela was sworn into the office of president on May 10, 1994. He was the first black person to hold the position in South African government. By 1996 a new constitution was instituted. The constitution “established a strong central government based on majority rule and prohibited discrimination against minorities, including whites.” (Nelson Mandela, 2014)

In 1999, after serving his only term as President, Nelson Mandela established the Mandela Foundation. The first initiatives rolled out by the foundation included the building of schools, promoting peace, interventions to foster reconciliations, and work on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is believed that the HIV/AIDS epidemic affects more South Africans than any other nation. By 2000, 4 million South Africans were affected. Mandela advocated for the need of antiviral medications and access to care. Mandela spoke at the International AIDS Conference in July 2000 “issuing a passionate and powerful demand that the world should get on with using the tools that had been shown to save lives: information, life skills, abstinence, safe sex and condoms.” (Boseley, 2013) throughout his life Mandela “maintained a strong international presence as an advocate of peace, reconciliation, and social justice.” (Nelson Mandela 2014).

A History of Nelson Mandela. (2009). Retrieved from