Nelson Mandela 1918 - 2013

Dear Readers

You will know I am sure that the great African leader and statesman, Nelson Mandela has died peacefully at the age of 95.
"A light has gone out in the world", was one of the many tributes paid to him by World leaders.


Nelson Mandela was born in 1918 in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.  He devouted his life to the fight against the enforced segregation of black and white people in the system know as "apartheid".  He was imprisoned in 1962 for his political action and spent 27 years of his life in prison, many of these years in solitary confinement.

People all over the world campaigned for his release and an end to the apartheid system.  Finally in 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from prison and in 1994 he was elected President of South Africa.  He worked to rebuild his country without showing any bitterness towards his former jailers.

I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve, but if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

Nelson Mandela, from his defense speech during his trial for sabotage and treason in 1964.

A truly inspiring life. Long may his memory live!

You can read more about Nelson Mandela´s life in the biographies we have in the Library.  Click here for the Library catalog.



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