A South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

Nelson Mandela Day: Today is the Birth Anniversary of Nelson Mandela, who is called ‘Gandhi’ of Africa. Nelson is known as the messenger of peace. No one can forget the contribution of Nelson Mandela in the fight against apartheid. Like Mahatma Gandhi, Mandela, who followed the path of non-violence, spent 27 years in jail fighting against apartheid.

When was Nelson Mandela born and die?

In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared his birthday (July 18 ) as ‘Nelson Mandela Day in his honor in recognition of his contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle, and since then every year on his birthday ‘Mandela’ Day’ is celebrated. Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in Mwezo, Eastern Cape, Union of South Africa to Gedla Henry Mfakeniswa and his third wife, Nekufi Noskeni. He was the first of his mother Noskeni and the third of 13 brothers among all the children of his father. Mandela’s father, Henry Muejo, was the tribal chief of the town. In the local language, Sardar’s son was called Mandela, from which he got his surname.Nelson Mandela’s father died in 1930 when Mandela was 12 and his mother died in 1968 when he was in prison. 

“NELSON MANDELA HAD TO SPEND 27 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FIGHTING AGAINST APARTHEID AND INJUSTICE. MANDELA, WHO FOLLOWED THE PATH OF NON-VIOLENCE, WAS AWARDED THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE IN 1993.”

After becoming a worker of the first African National Congress in 1943, Mandela became the founder of the ANC Youth League. After this, Mandela studied law and started practicing law in Johannesburg with his partner Oliver Tombo. Together they raised their voice against apartheid. For this reason, 155 activists were prosecuted along with him in 1956, which was abolished after four years. The ANC was banned in 1960. Mandela also campaigned for the country’s economy. On 5 August 1962, he was arrested for inciting the workers to strike and leaving the country without permission.

Remembering the crusader of peace & liberty, Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela on his birth anniversary. A statesman and an advocate of equal rights for people, he devoted his life to the service of humanity. His struggles and victory are an inspiration for people around the world.

He was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. From 1964 to 1990, he had to spend 27 years of life in prison for fighting against apartheid and injustice. He was kept in a prison on Robben Island where he had to work as a coal miner. During this, he wrote his biography secretly. His biography written in prison was published in 1994 in the form of a book called ‘Long Walk to Freedom’.

HISTORY OF NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY

Nelson Mandela International Day, also known as Mandela Day, is an international observance in honor of the revolutionary Nelson Mandela, celebrated annually on his birthday, on July 18. The day was officially set by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first observance of Mandela Day held on July 18, 2010. 

Nelson Mandela International Day shines a light every year on the legacy of a man whose monumental achievements changed the 20th century and shaped the 21st. His values and determination — a deep commitment to human rights, freedom, and justice — are reflected on, and are a source of inspiration for others. Mandela advocated for the rightful dignity and equality of every living person and encouraging engagement and solidarity across all borders. His relentless pursuit for equality was paralleled with his status as the founding father of peace in South Africa. 

Nelson Mandela remains a symbol of power by resisting oppression. In times of turbulence, Mandela’s legacy teaches everyone to choose dignity over humiliation, speak up during injustice, and forgive rather than hate. He once said, “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” In 2014, the Nelson Mandela Prize was established by the UN General Assembly — an award recognizing the achievements of those who went far and beyond to serve humanity.