Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African resistance leader who received a life sentence on Robben Island for opposing apartheid. Nelson Mandela personified struggle throughout his life. He is still leading the fight against apartheid after spending nearly three decades of his life behind bars. He has sacrificed his private life and his youth for his people, and remains South Africa's best known and loved hero. Nelson Mandela was born in a village near Umtata …showed first 75 words of 1250 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1250 total…do away with racism exemplifies his courage and heroics. South Africa is very fortunate to have a leader of that character. Without Mandela, blacks would still be opposed and would not have equal opportunities. They would not have a proper education or have any basic human rights.  Bibliography "Apartheid." World Book Encyclopedia. 1988 ed., vol. 1, pp. 563. Ngubane, Jordan. "Mandela." McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Biography. 1987 ed., vol. 7, pp. 132-133. Woods, Donald. Biko. New York: Paddington Press LTD, 1978.