Nelson Mandela has died. The man who guided South Africa to multiracial democracy, winning the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize in the process, was an icon of the 20th century, a larger-than-life figure who embodied for many the eternal fight for justice.
Mandela's life was a testimony to the need to put aside the anger and desire for vengeance that was rightfully his and to embrace the very best in humanity, regardless of race.
The outline of Mandela's life is well known. He was born July 18, 1918, to the chief councilor to the chief of the Thembu people in Transkei, attended an elite black university but left before completing his studies to join the African National Congress (ANC), and set up its youth wing. He worked as a law clerk and became a lawyer despite the limited opportunities available to blacks in that field. Soon after, Mandela was convicted of violating the Suppression of Communism Act, but his sentence was suspended.