Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary politician who was imprisoned for 27 years for his opposition to apartheid. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and engaged in resistance against the ruling party's apartheid policies after 1948. While in prison for over 27 years, Mandela endured harsh conditions in an 8x7 foot cell but continued to advocate nonviolently for freedom and equality. After his release, he became South Africa's first black president and helped establish a new democratic non-racial government.

1. NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA
1918-2013

2. • It is better to lead from
behind and to put others in
front, especially when you
celebrate victory when nice
things occur. You take the
front line when there is
danger. Then people will
appreciate your leadership.

3. • A leader is like a shepherd.
He stays behind the flock,
letting the most nimble go
out ahead, whereupon the
others follow, not realizing
that all along they are
being directed from
behind.

4. Anti-apartheid
revolutionary
politician.

5. • Born-18 July 1918
• Joined the African National
Congress in 1944
• Engaged in resistance against the
ruling National Party's apartheid
policies after 1948
• Arrested in 1962 and jailed for 27
years/10000 days on charge of
treason.
8-foot by 7-foot concrete cell
with only a straw mat to sleep
on.

6. • In the visitors' book for the island, the President wrote
that he and his family were "deeply humbled to stand
where men of such courage faced down injustice and
refused to yield.“
• He went on to write that "no shackles or cells can match
the strength of the human spirit."

7. “A good leader can
engage in a debate
frankly and
thoroughly, knowing
that at the end he
and the other side
must be closer,
and thus emerge
stronger.
You don't have that
idea when you are
arrogant,
superficial,
and uninformed.”

8. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over
it.
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers
that fear.”

9. “Real leaders
must
be ready to
sacrifice all
for the
freedom
of their
people.”

10. “ I Learned that Action without vision is only passing time,
vision without action is merely day dreaming,
but vision with action can change the world."

11. “As I walked out
the door toward
the gate that
would lead to
my freedom, I
knew if I didn’t
leave my
bitterness and
hatred behind,
I’d still be in
prison.”

12. “I Learned that Resentment is like drinking poison then
hoping that it will kill your enemies. So You have to go
about your dreams. There must not be any resentment.”