“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”  This is a quote by Nelson Mandela, who died on the 5^th of December this year.  This quote defines his attitude towards life and ultimately his legacy to the world.

Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in South Africa.  At a young age of twelve his father died.  As a child, he dreamed of making a contribution to the freedom struggle of his people and hoped that one day racial equality would no longer exist in South Africa.

On August 5^th, 1962, Mandela was arrested and was charged with civil disobedience and political sabotage by the government in power.  His efforts of non-violent strikes and boycotts were viewed as an act of treason to the government.

Mandela served 27 years in prison.  During this time Mandela became a household name around the world.  Due to Mandela’s leadership in the armed struggle and the campaigning of his wife, he was released from prison in 1990.  By 1994, Mandela had so much public recognition he was able to be elected president in the first free election in South Africa’s history.

Mandela’s achievements go far beyond winning the presidency.  Some of the most important include leading his country into a democracy and breaking racial barriers in South Africa.

“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities,” said Mandela.  “I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.”