www cafod org uk Celebrate Nelson Mandela CAFOD

www. cafod. org. uk Celebrate Nelson Mandela CAFOD hero www. cafod. org. uk

Nelson Mandela was President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black president to be democratically elected by a fair vote in South Africa.

But his journey was hard. Active campaigning to bring down the apartheid system (separating people of different races) led to his arrest. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1964.

He served 27 years before he was eventually released and could help his party to negotiate a multi-racial society, giving everyone a voice. Philip Mc. Kay, leader of BOCAP, Liberia, taking part in a radio discussion on HIV and AIDS

A Millennium Stars footballer with a CAFOD volunteer in Liberia Yet, Nelson was famously humble, championing reconciliation and respect for all: “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory. ”

He told a packed Trafalgar Square during the 2005 Make Poverty History campaign: “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom. ”

He has inspired thousands of young people across the globe to make the world a fairer and more peaceful place.

Young people campaigning at the ‘Big IF’ rally in London, UK, for enough food for all.

Maristely lives in São Paulo in a favela. She runs Bible classes for children. “My dream is that the community becomes more united. ”

CAFOD Young leaders visited St John’s Sports Society in Kenya

“Let freedom reign. ” Nelson Mandela

“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. ” Nelson Mandela

"I think Madiba (Mandela) would like us to celebrate and not be sad, to have smiles on our faces. " Muhammad Choonara, a 24 -year-old student, before Mandela’s memorial service Brazilian and UK young people at World Youth Day 2013 in Rio, Brazil

“Let me say to the people of Africa, and young people around the world: You can make his life's work your own” US President Barack Obama at Mandela’s memorial service 10 December 2013