Nelson Mandela 

A visionary change.

He was born on July 18, 1918, Mvezo, South Africa.

It was one of 15 children of Henry Mgadla Mandela, chief adviser of the Supreme Head of Thembuland, who at the death of his father became guardian of Mandela. Five years herding sheep and calves. He was the first member of his family to attend school. The English name "Nelson" was given by a teacher, as was the custom.

Son of the chief of a tribe, named him Rolihlahla, which means rebellious, but at seven, so he could attend the Methodist school, was named Nelson in the church of Transkei; and famous, his countrymen would call Madiba, the clan name. Two years later, due to the death of his father, the small Nelson was in the care of a cousin, the big boss Jongintaba; with him took to listen to tribal chiefs and became aware of the sense of justice.

He met sixteen, became part of the tribal council; three years later, in 1937, he entered the boarding school for black Ford Hare to pursue higher education. But when in 1941 he learned that the chief Jongintaba had arranged a marriage for him, Mandela decided to leave his village and went to Johannesburg. Poorly established in the overcrowded suburb of Alexandra, shortly after arriving he met Walter Sisulu, with whom he struck up a friendship that would be decisive in all areas: it influenced his political views, helped him get a job and finish her law studies and he presented his cousin Evelyn Mase, with whom he would marry in 1944.

Upon completion of primary education at a local mission school, he studied at the University College of Fort Hare for the Bachelor of Arts and where it comes into contact with politics and meet Oliver Tambo. Both took part in a student strike in 1940 that led to his expulsion from the center. Then he meets Walter Sisulu, who gave him a job at a law firm.

Nelson Mandela was a born leader.

Passed from terrorist to politician to become president of South Africa.

 

The twentieth century left two world wars, the death camps and the atomic terror, but also great champions of the struggle against injustice, as Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King. The last and most charismatic of them was Nelson Mandela.

His critics accused him of being a communist and a terrorist.

South African activist and politician who led the movement against apartheid and, after a long struggle and 27 years in prison, presided over the first government in 1994 that ended the racist regime.

Also is known as the Father of the South African nation.

Opposition declared " capitalism, private ownership of land and the power of billionaires. "

Mandela was a very private person who hid his emotions, and also put their trust in a few people.

Mandela said it was not "a Messiah, but an ordinary man who became a  leader because of extraordinary circumstances."

He was a lawyer "low cost" for blacks.

He took a career while in jail.

Rejects freedom for his ideals.

He was the first black president in the history of their country.

In part, it joined the country through rugby.

Everyone likes Mandela.

The former President of South Africa has died Thursday at his home in Johannesburg at age 95. The first black president of the country had at its disposal a seductive and irresistible cocktail consisting of an infinite charm, born of immense self-confidence, inflexible principles, strategic vision and an absolute pragmatism. His biographer draws the portrait of a unique personality.

Mandela, the man who defeated racism.