Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Paula Zapata - About Nelson Mandela



Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in South Africa in 1918. He is also known in his country as Madiba or Tata. He is a symbol of the struggle against racial discrimination, and due to this fight he spent more than 27 years in prison serving a sentence (life imprisonment) which was finished in 1990. His name is synonymous of peace and reconciliation in the world, after his release he was elected president of his country, the first one to come to power in a democratic election.

Mandela was persecuted for his fight against racial discrimination which it was subjected his country during Apartheid. This dictatorship based on racial segregation was racial classification of citizens from their appearance, social acceptance and offspring. After his release from prison in 1991 Apartheid disappeared

During the 27 years he spent in jail, his reputation and leadership grew despite the difficult conditions of their confinement. Additionally, he studied by correspondence through an external program of the University of London, obtaining the degree of Bachelor Laws. During his days of confinement allowed him to receive one letter and one visit every six months. But Mandela spent his hours studying with very little social contact and family.

Madela is an undisputed symbol of human values. During his captivity developed peaceful methods based on the ideas of Gandhi to end the state of terror against the black population of their country: "When I left the prison that was my mission: to liberate both the oppressed and the oppressor." In his speech never appeared feelings of hate or resentment.

His rise to the presidency in 1994 marked a before and after in the history of his country and the world. His term was marked by his tendency to reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. After his government was demonstrated that political activity can be a tool to improve the lives of people through honesty, courage, inclusion, consistency and respect.


Today Nelson Mandela is in a difficult health situation due to his advanced age and the consequences of their time in prison. However, the entire world lives his legacy. His foundation actively promotes the values of his work and has as one of its main causes fight against AIDS. Additionally, the July 18 is celebrated in the world Nelson Mandela International Day, a day that commemorates the birth of this leader and proposes to commemorate the Madiba´s achievements on peace democracy and human rights and also invite society help each other as the best tribute to one of the most important figures in modern history.

Paula Zapata

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