Today is the 99th birthday anniversary of South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist Nelson Mandela who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
He was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalized racism and fostering racial reconciliation.
Before becoming president, the activist spent 27 years in various prisons from 1962-1990, after being found guilty of inciting workers' strikes, leaving the country without permission, sabotage and conspiring to violently overthrow the government.
He was released in February 1990. He was 71 years old at the time but none of the fire that had first put him on this path was diminished.
He announced plans to continue the fight against apartheid while adopting a more peaceful approach to some of the issues.
His decision to forgo the violent approach for a political one earned him global recognition and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Mandela’s entry into South African politics helped to renew relations with other nations that had previously imposed embargoes and sanctions against the country because of apartheid.
Alongside his fight against racism, the then-president of the African National Congress was also known for his philanthropic efforts, especially those which involved African children and people affected by HIV and Aids.
In order to honour him for his efforts to improve the status of South Africa as well as its neighbouring countries, in 2009 (prior to his death on 5 December 2013), the United Nations decided to mark his birthday, 18 July, as Nelson Mandela International Day.