Nelson Mandela was the former president of South Africa. He was also a prisoner, freedom fighter, and a strong leader against racial discrimination. He died Thursday night at the age 95. Mandela battled with a lung disease that sent him to the hospital several times. Mandela was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the South African government. His public appearances started to decrease as he became older and more sick. His last public appearance was in 2010. He played a major role in preventing civil war from taking place in South Africa. Unlike most African leaders, Mandela didn't stay in power as President for a large portion of his life. Lots of African leaders stay President of their country until they die. The name we know him by, Nelson, is not his actual name. Mandela actually has a total of 6 names. Rolihlahla was his first name given to him at birth. Nelson was a name that his teacher gave to him so that Americans and British people could easily recognize him. Madiba is another name he was given. This name was given to him when he joined the Thembu Clan in African. Mandela was also called Tata. This word means father in Xhosa. Another name he was often called was Khulu. The world Khulu means grandfather in Xhosa. Dalibhunga was the name Nelson received when he turned sixteen and "officially became a man." If you want to read more about Nelson Mandela go to the link below.
Why do you guys think that Nelson Mandela was such an influential leader not just in his country, but throughout the world.
Replies
Great topic choice and well done!
I think that he was such an influence on people because of the things he did was racism and other things.
On TV they should more a celebration of life than the sad thing of death. We only concentrate on the person's death, not the long life they lived, and what they accomplished.
It's nice to see a story done on a good thing. Iv'e herd about Nelson before and I think he made a great impact on South Africa and the civil rights movement. I don't think his death is really a horrible deal though because he lived a great long life, and much longer than most people in the world.
Yes, for living over in that part of the world living to the age of 95 is a very good accomplishment.
Mandela is the same type of person as Martin Luther King and Gandhi. I personally had never heard of him before he died, but now that I do know about what he has done I think he is a remarkable person. History will remember him for his leadership in forming a country to be one of the best on the continent.
He was a great guy, a bunch of people attended his ceremony, even other world leaders did. It was also rained there, and to have that many people shows how much people liked him.
Yea there was a picture of the ceremony, and Obama as taking a picture with two other people. Michelle was next to him and she looked mad at him.
It's a terrible thing that he died, he was part of my childhood because I learned what he did and it was an amazing thing. He knew how to stand up and do whats right.
Yea it was sad when I first heard about his health issues and he was continually returning to the hospital over and over. I guess it's what happens when people age as old as he did. Can't be alive forever, but his influences on our world will go on forever.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next