Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Nelson Mandela, a native of South Africa, fought Apartheid as an attorney, a political and social activist, and a member of the African National Congress. He was arrested numerous times and tried for conspiracy to overthrow the state in 1963. During the famous Rivonia Trial, he stated, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Mandela was sentenced to life in prison on June 11, 1964. He served 27 years, and was released on February 11, 1990 by President Frederick Willem de Klerk.
In 1991 Nelson Mandela became President of the African National Congress and his lifelong friend Oliver Tambo served as the National Chairperson. Mandela worked diligently with former President F. W. de Klerk end Apartheid and usher in the country’s first multi-racial election. In 1993, Nelson Mandela and President F. W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.
On 10 May 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated South Africa’s first democratically elected President. True to his promise he stepped down in 1999 after one term and retired from active politics. He continued to raise money for schools and clinics for the people in South Africa and published several books.
Nelson Mandela passed away in his home in Johannesburg, on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95.
To commemorate the City of Troy’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, we will publish a different story each day that highlights a person, discovery, or event that occurred locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally between 1955 and 2015 and that helped shape our lives and our community. We will try to post stories on important anniversary dates, but we also realize that dates are less critical than content and context. We will include the facts related to controversial stories, allowing our readers to form their own opinions. We invite you to read and comment on the stories. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome and can be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TroyHistoricVillage. You can also email stories or ideas to the 365 Story Editor at ed@thvmail.org.
