About Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist, statesman, and revolutionary who was the first 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 administration focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by fostering racial reconciliation, a national peace accord and eventual multiracial democracy. Ideologically an African nationalist and socialist, he served as the president of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.
Known for:
Long Walk to Freedom
Notable works:
Long Walk to Freedom
Awards:
Presidential Medal of Freedom|United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights|Bruno Kreisky Award for Services to Human Rights|Nobel Peace Prize|Sakharov Prize|Order of the Smile|Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau|Order of Merit|Order of Lenin|Lenin Peace Prize|Bharat Ratna|Order of the Lion|honorary Canadian citizenship|Congressional Gold Medal|Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo|Order of Friendship|Ambassador of Conscience Award|Alan Paton Award|Order of the Elephant|Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership|World Rugby Hall of Fame|Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal|Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights|Order of the Nile|Nishan-e-Pakistan|Gandhi Peace Prize|Royal Order of the Seraphim|Order of the Star of Ghana|Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize|Order of José Martí|Order of Jamaica|International Simón Bolívar Prize|Arthur Ashe Courage Award|Order of Stara Planina|Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding|Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation|Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize|Isitwalandwe Medal|Order of Playa Girón|Delta Prize for Global Understanding|J. William Fulbright Prize|Atatürk International Peace Prize|Philadelphia Liberty Medal|Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour|honorary doctorate|Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav|honorary citizen of Paris|Grand Cross of the National Order of Mali|Giuseppe Motta Medal|Order of Agostinho Neto|Order of Augusto César Sandino|Ahimsa Award|Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class|honorary doctorate of the University of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria|Grand Cross of the Order of the Aztec Eagle|honorary doctor of the Autonomous University of Barcelona|honorary doctor of the University of Madrid Complutense|Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic|Four Freedoms Award – Freedom Medal|Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry|Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland|Grandmaster of the Order of Good Hope|Order of Mapungubwe in Platinum|Gold Olympic Order|Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia|Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada|honorary doctor of the University of the Witwatersrand|honorary doctor of the University of Antwerp|honorary doctor of the Howard University|honorary doctor of Paris 8 University|honorary doctorate of the University of Cape Town|honorary doctorate of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel|honorary doctor of the University of Hong Kong|honorary doctor of the Peking University|Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of Saint John|Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty|Honorary Doctor at Karolinska Institutet|honorary doctor of the University of Calcutta|honorary doctor of the University of Pretoria|Honorary doctor of Leiden University|Grand Star of People's Friendship|Order of Eduardo Mondlane, 1st class|honorary degree from Spelman College|honorary doctor of the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne|Freedom of the London Borough of Greenwich|Freedom of the Royal Borough of Greenwich|Honorary King's Counsel|Honorary doctor of the University of Fort Hare
Best Nelson Mandela Quotes
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I am not the only one who did not want revenge. Almost all my colleagues in prison did not want revenge, because there is no…
All
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Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our…
Asset
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There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested...
Dark
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While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.
Freedom
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I have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside prison.
Any
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I cannot and will not give any undertaking at a time when I, and you, the people, are not free. Your freedom and mine cannot…
Any
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When the history of our times is written, will we be remembered as the generation that turned our backs in a moment of global crisis…
Backs
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I never think of the time I have lost. I just carry out a programme because it's there. It's mapped out for me.
Carry
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If the ANC does to you what the apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you did to the…
Apartheid
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There will be life after Mandela. On my last day I want to know that those who remain behind will say: 'The man who lies…
Behind
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It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.
Both
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You sharpen your ideas by reducing yourself to the level of the people you are with and a sense of humour and a complete relaxation,…
Complete
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That was one of the things that worried me – to be raised to the position of a semi-god – because then you are no…
Committed
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Those who conduct themselves with morality, integrity and consistency need not fear the forces of inhumanity and cruelty.
Conduct
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I can't help it if the ladies take note of me; I am not going to protest.
Help
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Few things make the life of a parent more rewarding and sweet as successful children.
Children
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I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what…
Any
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If our expectations, if our fondest prayers and dreams, are not realized then we should all bear in mind that the greatest glory of living lies…
All
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Be a life long student, read as many books as possible.
Book
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When those in power deny you of freedom the only path to freedom is power
Deny
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History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children.
Children
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Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation.
Abuse
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The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children.
Character
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It always gives me great pleasure to be surrounded by the beautiful children of our land. Whenever I am with the energetic young people ...…
Always Gives
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Together as a nation, we have the obligation to put sunshine into the hearts of our little ones. They are our precious possessions. They deserve…
Children
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