My dearest friends
It is on the 10th of May 1994 that Nelson Mandela
was instated as the First Black President of South Africa.
He served as the first democratically elected President from
1994 to 1999, however his political activism began after 1948 with an initial
commitment to non-violent mass struggle.
Later, his anti-apartheid activities led to his imprisonment
for nearly 30 years in the iconic Robben Island.
Released in 1990, he was elected president of the African
National Congress and represented it in the turbulent negotiations that led to
the establishment of majority rule.
Mandela lifetime effort was recognized by the world and he
rightly awarded the joint Nobel Peace Prize with de Klerk
In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly
proclaimed Mandela's birthday, 18 July, as "Mandela Day", marking his
contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle.
Awarded also is the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, and
the Order of Canada, he was the first living person to be made an honorary
Canadian citizen.
Wish you all a great day.
Kamlesh
