Nelson Mandela dies

Nelson_Mandela-2008

Nelson Mandela, the former prime minister of South Africa and one of the world’s leading statesmen has died aged 95.

In 1948 the National Party was voted into power on the back of a policy of apartheid, which effectively made non-whites second-class citizens. Different laws depending on the colour of someone’s skin affected key issues such as education and medical care and the 1951 Bantustan act’s main goal was to force black people out of the country.

Mandela was a lawyer who joined the African National Congress (ANC) and became increasingly radicalised against the injustice of apartheid. He became one of the ANC’s main leaders and was ultimately sent to jail where he served 27 years.

Four years after his release, Mandela became the first black president of South Africa and set about trying to dismantle the tools of apartheid. His ability to forgive those who imprisoned him and instead focus on rebuilding his country led to him becoming one of the world’s most respected figures.