Nelson Mandela: A Revolutionist and Politician

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Nelson R. Mandela: A Life Of Determination and Hardships Introduction: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 18 July 1918, was a South African revolutionary, politician and philanthropist who served as the president of South Africa from 1994-1999. He was the first black chief executive to be elected in a purely democratic way.

Education and the Political Career: He was born to the Thembu royal family and had studied law at the Fort Hare University and the University of Witwatersrand. Living in Johannesburg, he became involved in anti-colonial politics, joining the ANC and becoming a founding member of its Youth League. When the South African National Party came to power in 1948, his prominence rose as well. Mandela was highly influenced with Marxism, which led him to secretly joining the South African Communist Party. He soon was greeted into its central committee.

Presidency: In 1961, leading a sabotage campaign against the apartheid government, he was arrested, convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the state, and sentenced to life imprisonment (27 years) in the Rivonia Trial. Mandela joined negotiations with President F. W. de Klerk to abolish apartheid and establish multiracial elections in 1994, in which he led the ANC to victory and became South Africa's first black president. He published his autobiography in 1995.

Death and Last Testament Aged 95, Mandela passed away after a prolonged respiratory infection, on 5 December 2013.

Mandela’s will and last testament was made public on 03 February 2014. Wherein, Mandela’s estate of 4.14 million USD was divided into his family members including his wives and daughters, and The Mandela Family Trust. His 3 rd wife Ms. Graca Machel is entitled to half of Mandela’s estate. Rumors state that she is likely to waive her claims off of it.

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Awards and Achievements: Mandela was a controversial figure for much of his life. Denounced as a communist terrorist by critics, he nevertheless gained international acclaim for his activism, having received more than 250 honors, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Soviet Order of Lenin and the Bharat Ratna. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, or as Tata ("Father"); he is often described as "the father of the nation".

Nelson Mandela is characterized as a hero and freedom fighter because of his combat against apartheid and apart from spending 27 years of challenging life in prison, he became the first democratic leader of South Africa. Integrity is one of the important reflections of his personality that incorporates the traits of honesty and trustworthiness for his followers.

Source: http://www.researchomatic.com/Nelson-Mandela-An-Effective-Leader-148992.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26014868

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