Nelson Mandela

Mandela is known as a hero due to his willingness to die for his beliefs, the sacrifices he made of personal freedom and watching his children grow up during his imprisonment, as well as for his ability to forgive his oppressors. He spent 27 years in prison at Robben Island, Upon his release in 1990, Mandela chose to advocate for peaceful reconciliations with then president F.W. de Klerk while South Africa was immersed in violent protests against apartheid. When he became president in 1992, Mandela continued to work toward democracy and easing racial tensions in South Africa.