How could a man become president of such a strong country after being imprisoned for almost three decades and belonging to a racial minority? His name was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. He is a true inspiration to those who hear his story. Starting as a simple black man and ending as a person whose name is heard and recognized around the world is something that briefly explains the life of Nelson Mandela. As a true anti-apartheid, Nelson Mandela worked wonders for equality with great power, even while imprisoned for almost three decades. Nelson Mandela was a man admired by the world for his perseverance in his dedication to equality and for becoming president after being incarcerated for 27 years while maintaining the respect of the world. Born July 18, 1918, Thembu of the Madiba clan. accepted the first son of the family named Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Having 13 siblings, Mandela seemed to be the troublemaker in the family. As Alex Perry says, “rebellion was in his blood” (26). This tendency to create trouble seemed to be the result of his distaste for the apartheid method. Apartheid, which translates to “gap,” was a system of racism in South Africa. Those who were black faced the worst of all discrimination: they were not allowed to own property rights in the majority of areas, nor the right to vote and practice certain professions. Most black people were not even allowed to marry a white woman. These are the kinds of difficulties that Nelson Mandela experienced and above all despised. As Mandela grew older, he began to express his feelings about the government and its participation in apartheid. Mandela very often expressed his views through acts of protest... middle of paper... what he sacrificed and worked for finally paid off. In assisting Mandela with his autobiography, Rick Stengel said that "despite all of Mandela's great challenges, he never lost sight of his overriding goal: to achieve freedom for his people and to widen the circle of freedom for all" ( Gibbs 1). Nelson Mandela was and still is a true source of inspiration for the world. The footprints he left on this Earth on December 5, 2013 certainly left a mark. (Villarosa 44)Works citedGibbs, Nancy. “The long march is coming to an end.” Time (2013): 1. TOPICsearch. Internet. January 23, 2014.Perry, Alex. “Protester.” Time (2013): 26. TOPICsearch. Internet. January 23, 2014. Smolowe, Jill et al. “Nelson Mandela 1918-2013.” People 20.26 (2013): 62. TOPICsearch. Internet. January 22, 2014. “South African protesters were whipped and tear gassed. » Toronto Star (Canada) August 28, 1985: Newspaper source. Internet. January 22. 2014.