Nelson Mandela Apostle of peace& forgiveness Born in 18 July, 1918,in Thembu royal family in Mvezo village, Xhosa speaking Thembu community, eastern Cape South Africa .Baptised as Rolihlahla(troublemaker)Dalibhunga, known as Madiba and later called as Nelson by English teacher. His father was a counsellorto Thembu royal family and passed away when Mandela was 9 years Expelled in 1940 from Fort Hare University for strike participation.in 1941 worked as a policeman in mines.1943,he enrolled for a law degree Afrikaner Witwatersrand , University qualified in 1952, establishing Africa`s first law firm with Oliver Tambo
At 23 , 1941 ran away from forced marriage. Married to evelyn mase in 1944 had four children. His son Makghato died in 6 Jan 2005 of aids. He worked as an ambassador for aids since 1999 after stepping down as the PresidentMarried. Winnie Madikizela 1958 and she worked for ANC , when he was in prison and subsequently divorced after his release. April 1992.On July 1998 married Graca Machel , widow of Samora Machel He was in prison for 27 years, 18 years at robben Island and then at Polsmoor Prison.He was influenced by Ghandhi and compared to Abraham Lincon and Marin Luther King.He became the first ever elected Black President ushering in multi racial democracy.,He abhorred violence but with the incident of Massacre at Sharpeville of 155 members, things were out of control. His sense of humour and lack of bitterness and revenge. The struggle and sanctions in 1967 weakened apartheid regime He was released in 1990.It was only Mnadela who could dissuade revenge and vengeance against the oppressive regime He left the reigns to Thabo Mbeki and watched and guided from side lines He was awarded Nobel Peace prize in 1993 and Bharat ratna in 1990 among many honours His health deteriorated since 2012 with frequent visits to hospitals and finally succumbed to old age at 95 years He will go down in History as an apostle of forgiveness in spite of harsh, inhuman treatment meted out to him and his supporters. He integrated both communities without bitterness of the past Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
