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 Lines
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The most difficult matter is not so much to change the world as yourself.
Change
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It never hurts to think too highly of a person; often they become ennobled and act better because of it.
Act
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I thank whatever gods may be / For my unconquerable soul. / I am the master of my fate / I am the captain of…
Captain
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A bright future beckons. The onus is on us, through hard work, honesty and integrity, to reach for the stars.
Beckons
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Even if you have a terminal disease, you don't have to sit down and mope. Enjoy life and challenge the illness that you have.
Challenge
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We tried in our simple way to lead our life in a manner that may make a difference to those of others.
Difference
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If you want to preach a revolutionary message, wear a suit.
Message
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Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way.
Allow
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Justice and I became friends, though we were opposites in many ways - he was extroverted, I was introverted; he was lighthearted, I was serious.
Became
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I enjoyed the discipline and solitariness of long-distance running, which allowed me to escape from the hurly-burly of school life.
Allowed
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I went as an observer, not a participant, for I do not think that I ever spoke. I wanted to understand the issues under discussion,…
Argument
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Rhetoric is not important. Actions are.
Action
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Freedom can never be taken for granted. Each generation must safeguard it and extend it. Your parents and elders sacrificed much so that you should…
Darkness
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It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education.
Access
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Press Freedom will never be under threat in South Africa for as long as the ANC is the majority party
Africa
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If we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievements of others.
Accomplish
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The day I am afraid to do, that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.
Afraid
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Artists reach areas far beyond the reach of politicians. Art, especially entertainment and music, is understood by everybody, and it lifts the spirits and the…
Areas
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Che Guevara's life is an inspiration for every human being who loves freedom. We will always honor his memory.
Always Honor
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If we do not do something to prevent it, Africa's animals, and the places in which they live, will be lost to our world, and…
Animal
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I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination...
Black
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We should never forget those on whose shoulders we stand and those who paid the supreme price for freedom.
Forget
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At the meeting I argued that the state had given us no alternative to violence. I said it was wrong and immoral to subject our…
According
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There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere.
Anywhere
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As long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making a meaningful contribution to society, progress will be slow. As long as the nation…
Acknowledge
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