Every year on July 18th, Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy reminds us that “we can change the world and make it a better place.” Throughout his 95 years of life, Mandela devoted himself through great sacrifice to the following three rules:
- Free Yourself.
- Free Others.
- Serve Every Day.
For 27 years, he was imprisoned for standing up against a government that was violating the human rights of black South Africans. Upon his release in
1990, he led South Africa from the extremes of apartheid to the building of a democracy, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
On 1994 he was elected South Africa’s first black president and created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated human rights and political violations committed by both supporters and opponents of apartheid between 1960 and 1994.
After leaving office, Mandela remained a strong advocate for peace and social justice in South Africa and around the world, establishing a number of organizations that addressed global and human suffering including the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Elders.
Once retired, Nelson Mandela expressed his love of color and joy in drawing and became a full-time artist. “These sketches are not so much about my life as they are about my own country. I drew hands because they are powerful instruments, hands can hurt or heal, punish or uplift. They can also be bound but a quest for righteousness can never be repressed. In time, we broke lose the shackles of injustice, we joined hands across social divides and national boundaries, between continents and over oceans and now we look to the future, knowing that even if age makes us wiser guides, [it is] the youth that reminds us of love, of trust and of the value of life.” His ultimate vision was to use his art to aid his charities and help underprivileged children affected by HIV and the associated poverty and isolation.
Mandela was a man of humor, honesty, and humility. His achievements and personal triumph have 
become a powerful symbol to people all over the world that good will ultimately prevail. In recognition of his birthday, Nelson Mandela International Day was launched on July 18th, 2009 via unanimous decision of the United Nations General Assembly.
In 2008, Mandela called for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices. As Mandela said that day, “It is in your hands to create a better world.”