That changed the world

Rolihlahla 'Nelson' Mandela

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"When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”

Nelson Mandela, The Long Walk to Freedom- February 11, 1990

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His father was destined to be a chief, but lost both title and fortune over a dispute with the local colonial magistrate, forcing his family to move to a smaller village, Quno.  Ironically, his father gave him the name  'Rolihlahla', meaning troublemaker, an appropriate name for someone destined to overturn a regime and change the direction of a nation.

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Known all over the world as a symbol of the struggle against apartheid and racism.  Called a freedom fighter, South Africa's favourite son, a global icon and a living legend, among countless other names.  An activist, a political prisoner for 27 years, South Africa's first democratically elected black president 1994-1999, an international peacemaker and statesman, and Nobel Peace Prize winner.  He enjoyed a

'warm friendship' with the Queen, addressing her as 'my dear friend Elizabeth.'

Photo: Festival Karsh Ottawa/Foter.com • Licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND