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We are very sad to report that Nelson Mandela has died.
Devout Christian Mandela was South Africa’s first black president, as well as an icon for peace internationally. Mandela had a string of medical problems throughout 2013, and was receiving intensive treatment at home to battle a lung infection after 3 months in hospital. Mandela was 95.
Mandela began his political career in 1943 after he joined the African National Congress. He was arrested multiple times under charges of high treason (charges were dropped after a 4-year trial), incitement and leaving the country without a passport. While he was serving a 5 year sentence for the latter charges, he was then charged with sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Mandela had spent 27 years in prison before being released in 1990. From there, he continued his political career, petitioning for peace within his own country, as well as with others. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and became the first black President in South Africa the following year. He stepped down after 5 years in power.
He would become an ambassador, encouraging and end to war and suffering throughout the world. He continued his ministry despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001. He withdrew from the public eye in 2004, allowing the world to believe that his own health issues had forced him to retire. In 2005, he revealed that he actually retired because of the poor health of his son, who had died of an HIV/Aids-related illness.
HIV/Aids has plagued Africa for over 2 centuries, and many who have the virus were born with it, or contracted it treatment within poor medical facilities. Mandela had campaigned for better education and the availability of appropriate medical services in order to treat the illness. He also rallied peacefully against racial segregation in his country.
Mandela spent his last hours surrounded by close friends and extended family. He leaves behind widow Graca Michel, his third wife of 15 years, and 5 children. Our thoughts are with his family.
Devout Christian Mandela was South Africa’s first black president, as well as an icon for peace internationally. Mandela had a string of medical problems throughout 2013, and was receiving intensive treatment at home to battle a lung infection after 3 months in hospital. Mandela was 95.
Mandela began his political career in 1943 after he joined the African National Congress. He was arrested multiple times under charges of high treason (charges were dropped after a 4-year trial), incitement and leaving the country without a passport. While he was serving a 5 year sentence for the latter charges, he was then charged with sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Mandela had spent 27 years in prison before being released in 1990. From there, he continued his political career, petitioning for peace within his own country, as well as with others. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and became the first black President in South Africa the following year. He stepped down after 5 years in power.
He would become an ambassador, encouraging and end to war and suffering throughout the world. He continued his ministry despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001. He withdrew from the public eye in 2004, allowing the world to believe that his own health issues had forced him to retire. In 2005, he revealed that he actually retired because of the poor health of his son, who had died of an HIV/Aids-related illness.
HIV/Aids has plagued Africa for over 2 centuries, and many who have the virus were born with it, or contracted it treatment within poor medical facilities. Mandela had campaigned for better education and the availability of appropriate medical services in order to treat the illness. He also rallied peacefully against racial segregation in his country.
Mandela spent his last hours surrounded by close friends and extended family. He leaves behind widow Graca Michel, his third wife of 15 years, and 5 children. Our thoughts are with his family.
