Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a remarkable individual, was born on July 18, 1918, and passed away on December 5, 2013. As the former leader of the African National Congress (ANC),he dedicated his life to combating apartheid, a system of enforced racial segregation instituted in South Africa in 1948. The ANC, however, was soon labeled a terrorist organization and banned by the South African government.
Mandela's courageous fight against apartheid led to his arrest in 1962, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of terrorism. Despite the harsh circumstances, he remained resolute in his pursuit of justice and equality. In 1990, South African President F.W. de Klerk took the unprecedented step of releasing Mandela from prison, paving the way for his eventual rise to the presidency.
In 1994, Mandela made history by becoming the first black president of South Africa, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the values of equality and justice. Two biographical films were produced to chronicle his remarkable life, with Mandela and de Klerk (1997) focusing on the struggles he faced and the triumphs he achieved.