Nelson Mandela was a South-African anti-apartheid, (against racial segregation) revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist. Mandela was an extraordinary man who fought for his peoples’ rights for the duration of his ninety-five years of life. He died December fifth of this year and this was a universal tragedy as Mandela was an influential figure for millions of people, and still is.

He was the first black South African to hold office and was president from 1994-1999.Mandela was also the first person elected in a fully representative democratic election in South Africa, and the first man to become president after previously being imprisioned. But before this, he went through ferocious fights for the racial equality and push to get a democratic government started up for his country. He was criticized and opposed throughout his life and was sent to prision for twenty-seven years (originally sentenced to life), before being released and being able to continue with his cause. That’s twenty-seven full years isolated from his family, followers, and all of humanity.

The reason for his imprisonment was he was thought to have started a conspiracy to overthrow the state.He was also accused of sabotage and attempting to further communism. On the day of his arrest, he gave a three hour speech about his cause’s key postition. This was to use non-violent ways to oppose the state, train a military wing for future use, and set up a democratic system in Africa. Mandela had many forceful campaigns internationally lobbying for his release, which did not occur until 1991. Something that sets Mandela apart from many was that he came out of prision with absolutely no bitterness in his heart. He left as a free man, right back to working to improve South Africa as a whole.

Ironically, reconciliation between the government of South Africa and the people there was Mandela’s primary task when becoming president, with poverty and welfare close behind. By the end of his term, South Africa had 1.5 million children integrated into the education system, (prior to this it was very hard to get children into this system) welfare spending increased by 30%, three million new phones, 500 clinics constructed, water access was extended to over three million people, and 750,000 new homes were built that housed over three million people.

After stepping down from only one term as president, Mandela furthered his interests as an activist and philanthropist, and was continuously opposed to power of big money and capitalism and fought to keep this out of his country and the people in control of their own rights for good.

Nelson Mandela will forever be remembered as someone who fights for what he has faith in his country and people, even if it means losing his own life for his cause. He was often referred to as a saint, but was an incredibly humble man and had often said that he was not coming to the community of South Africa as a prophet, but just as one of the people, and that he was giving them his life in their hands.

Although, throughout his life he was criticized for his beliefs and movements for human rights, Mandela was seen to many as “Washington and Lincoln rolled into one,” and received the Nobel Peace Prize, his birthday marked as “Mandela Day,” among many other awards. Mandela can be compared to many inspirational leaders, but he is very unique as a forgiving and open-hearted person. He never felt avenge against people who did not agree with him, but fought to enlighten the people who did. Nelson Mandela may be dead, but his name will forever be immortalized in millions of peoples’ hearts and minds as a savior, someone willing to sacrifice everything for his country, and someone who never let himself be brought down.