Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born July 18, 1918, the
son of a tribal chief in Transkei.
Nelson
Mandela, 95, died Thursday in Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world's most
beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century. He spent his 27 years of
life time in prison to for the minority rule in South Africa.
South African President Jacob Zuma made the
announcement "we've lost our greatest son."
Nelson Mandela: Man of many handshakes !!
As South Africa's first black president, the ex-boxer,
lawyer and prisoner No. 46664 paved the way. He travelled hundreds of miles to
have tea with the widow of Hendrik Verwoerd, the prime minister at the time he
was imprisoned.
By the time Mandela turned 70 he was the world's most
famous political prisoner.
"We have confounded the prophets of doom and
achieved a bloodless revolution. We have restored the dignity of every South
African," Mandela said shortly before stepping down as president in 1999
at age 80.
Nearly 8,000 miles north of Johannesburg, in Paris,
leaders from 53 African countries attending a summit on peace and security
observed a minute of silence for him Friday.
Nelson
Mandela, 95, died Thursday in Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world's most
beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century. He spent his 27 years of
life time in prison to for the minority rule in South Africa.
South African President Jacob Zuma made the
announcement "we've lost our greatest son."
As South Africa's first black president, the ex-boxer,
lawyer and prisoner No. 46664 paved the way. He travelled hundreds of miles to
have tea with the widow of Hendrik Verwoerd, the prime minister at the time he
was imprisoned.
By the time Mandela turned 70 he was the world's most
famous political prisoner.
"We have confounded the prophets of doom and
achieved a bloodless revolution. We have restored the dignity of every South
African," Mandela said shortly before stepping down as president in 1999
at age 80.
Nearly 8,000 miles north of Johannesburg, in Paris,
leaders from 53 African countries attending a summit on peace and security
observed a minute of silence for him Friday.
