We have lost one of the true heroes and greatest statesmen of our era or any other. A brilliant person, a freedom fighter, a beacon of resistance, a visionary leader, an icon of peace. A person who, alongside others, bore arms when he needed to. A person who, alongside others, consulted the law when he needed to. A person who, alongside others, endured decades years in prison because he had to. A person who, alongside so many other women and men, brought a new dawn and a new day to one of the most benighted countries, wracked by the cancer of institutionalized and systemic racism and white supremacy known as
apartheid. A man who chose democracy, who chose inclusion, who chose justice informed and enrichd by forgiveness rather than vengeance. A man who promoted economic, political and justice in the new South Africa. A man who assumed the role of President of a renewed country that was forever changed, giving hope to his people, all the people of his country, and to many more across the globe.
Nelson Rolihlahla MANDELA (July 18, 1918 - December 5, 2013)
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The forthcoming New Yorker cover
by Kadir Nelson |
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| Mandela in traditional clothing |
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| A young Mandela |
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| President Nelson R. Mandela |
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| Mandela the young lawyer |
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| Celebrating with Miriam Makeba |
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| Mandela at an ANC rally |
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Winnie and Nelson Mandela
as newlyweds |
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| "I am prepared to die" (1964) |
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| Mandela at Robben Island |
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| Nelson Mandela with Walter Sisulu |
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Mandela receiving the Nobel Peace Prize
with South Africa's last apartheid
leader, F. W. de Klerk |
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| MADIBA |
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| Mandela with actor and musician Will Smith |
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The landmark 1994 South African
presidential ballot |
Rest in peace, Madiba, rest in peace.
Videos after the jump: