Why is Nelson Mandela so important?
Nelson Mandela was incarcerated in 1964 for being one of the primary leaders of the liberation movement against apartheid in South Africa and for his impassioned stance on the rights of everyone to live in freedom. His prison number whilst he served 18 years of his 27years of incarceration on the notorious Robben Island was prisoner number 466/64. He was finally released in 1991 and went on to become the first democratically elected President of South Africa from 1994-1999. During his Presidency Mr. Mandela was a key figure on the international stage fighting social injustices and leading the reconciliation process in his own country. The onset of HIV AIDS in the late 80’s and early 90’s, which has severely affected South Africa where it is estimated that 5.5 million people are living with the disease, plus his passion for social justice and the right for everyone to have an education has continued to form much of Nelson Mandela’s work since his retirement from the presidency in 1999,
