Freedom Fighters:

Nelson Mandela

Freedom fighter, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in July 1918. Famous for being the first black president in a new democratic South Africa (SA) in 1994. Mandela spent his whole life as an anti-apartheid activist and leader of Struggle party, the African National Congress. Whilst fighting for freedom against apartheid in SA, Mandela was sentenced to prison for 27 years in the famous Robben Island for sabotage. When Mandela was released in February 1990, his negotiations for new policies helped transform South Africa into multi-racial democracy. After the struggle, Mandela was given due thanks and praise by the world, and has become a symbol of freedom and equality across the world. Mandela has received awards counting to approximately a hundred, the most noticeable being the Nobel Peace Prize he received in 1993. Today Nelson Mandela is a celebrated elder, whose voice and opinion is still highly credited for in topical issues. In South Africa, he is famous for the name 'Madiba'. A title only given to elders of Mandela's clan. South Africa will forever be grateful of Nelson Mandela's sacrifice and contribution in making the world a better place. His movement is appreciated, and will never be forgotten.

"Tonight I am reaching out to every single South African, black and white, from the very depths of my being. A white man, full of prejudice and hate, came to our country and committed a deed so foul that our whole nation now teeters on the brink of disaster. A white woman, of Afrikaner origin, risked her life so that we may know, and bring to justice, this assassin. The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shock waves throughout the country and the world. …Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for - the freedom of all of us."

Dr Martin Luther King Jr

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929 & was killed, by assassination in April 1968. He was a pivotal leader of the American civil rights movement. He was also a Baptist minister, which was one of the few leadership roles available to black men at the time. He became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott from 1955 to 1956 and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have Dream" speech. Here he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in United States history. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. In 1986, Martin Luther King Day was established as a national holiday in the United States., King was also posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.

Steve Biko

Stephen Bantu Biko, South Africa's James Brown was a noted anti-apartheid activist throughout the 60's, but became famous for his Stronghold in founding the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower, motivate and mobilize a number black population for change. Biko was born in December 1946 and died a martyr of the anti-apartheid movement in September 1977 while in police custody. While living, Steve Biko wrote in attempt to empower black people, and make them proud of whom they are. One of his famous slogans being "Black is Beautiful," that he explained to have meant: "Man, you are okay as you are, begin to look upon yourself as a human being." Although not recognized and supported by the ANC when he started his campaign, Biko was later included in heroes who struggled for the long walk to freedom. Today, Biko is a celebrated icon in shifting black people's state of mind and staying positive. Viva Biko, Viva.