Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, son of an advisor to the chief of the Thembu royal family. When his father died, Nelson was only 12 years old and was then raised by the chief.  Educated as a lawyer, Mandela joined the struggle against apartheid in 1943.  In 1964 he was sentenced to life at hard labor and spent the last 18 years of his imprisonment at the notorious Robben Island Prison for attempted violent overthrow of the government.  Even in prison, he continued his struggle for justice and freedom for black South Africans, thus also becoming a powerful symbol of hope and determination.  He helped to negotiate an end to apartheid and was finally released from prison in 1990.  After an open and free political campaign, he was elected and inaugurated in 1994 as the first black president of South Africa.  Although the transition from apartheid to an open and inclusive democracy was not without violence, Mandela’s commitment to nonviolence and a peaceful transition prevented all-out civil war.  His establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995 helped heal the wounds of apartheid and set the country on a new path into the future.  South Africa became a shining example of how hope, persistence, non-violence, truth and reconciliation can transform a society.

Nelson Mandela International Day shines a light every year on the legacy of a man whose monumental achievements changed the 20th century and shaped the 21st. His values and determination — a deep commitment to human rights, freedom, and justice — are reflected on, and are a source of inspiration for others. Mandela advocated for the rightful dignity and equality of every living person and encouraged engagement and solidarity across all borders. His relentless pursuit for equality was paralleled with his status as the founding father of peace in South Africa. 

Nelson Mandela remains a symbol of power by resisting oppression. In times of turbulence, Mandela’s legacy teaches everyone to choose dignity over humiliation, speak up during injustice, and forgive rather than hate. He once said, “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” In 2014, the Nelson Mandela Prize was established by the UN General Assembly — an award recognizing the achievements of those who went far and beyond to serve humanity. 

Holy One, we thank you for raising up Nelson Mandela to show us the power of non-violence, truth and reconciliation.  Open our hearts and transform our lives so that we always treat each other with respect and love, recognizing one another as brother and sisters.  Help us to recognize the diversity of the human family as a gift to be treasured and shared. Rid us of the sin of racism that tears us apart from one another.  Like Nelson Mandela, inspire us to hold on to what we know is right, to work for what we know is possible, and to create the world we wish to live in.