Why is Nelson Mandela famous?

Nelson Mandela is a famous world figure because of his contribution to his country in South Africa.  Being South Africa’s first president from a truly democratic election, Nelson Mandela has become a living icon of justice, peace, and equality not only in South Africa but all throughout the world.  During his time, he pushed for true democracy for all people in South Africa whether one belonged to the white race or the black race.  Because of his actions, many people admire him including leaders of various nations around the globe.

But aside from becoming the first president of South Africa after a fully democratic election, Nelson Mandela is already a famous figure even before he led his own country.  What propelled him to being a famous leader is his experience as an activist in his own country.  His political life started when he was young and became part of anti-apartheid activist group in South Africa.  This group was like a boycott organization and targeted against the existing racial segregation in the country.  Under the apartheid system, those belonging to the white race had basically supreme rights over the black people.  This system went on for several decades after the Second World War but, as the years went on, more and more people including Nelson Mandela objected to it.  With Mandela’s strong participation in anti-apartheid demonstrations, he was imprisoned for 27 years.

But Mandela’s popularity didn’t wane even after he was released from prison back in 1990.  In fact, he became the nation’s symbol of hope and democracy which propelled him to win the presidency in the country’s first truly democratic election in 1994.  With his hardships that ended in attaining true democracy in South Africa, Nelson Mandela is not only a famous person but is also a highly-respected figure in the whole world.