What a hero is

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When the word "hero" is spoken, everyone has different thoughts. Some will think of super powers like flying and saving people from villains; while others have a certain person they know or have heard of that come to mind who have done something to make a difference in the lives of others but who is a hero to you? To answer this question you must first ask yourself what a hero is; what comes to your mind when someone says the word. When I am confronted with these questions I always have the same thoughts; smart, strong will power, and someone who stands up for what they believe is right.

Finding someone who possesses these ideal traits is not an easy task to take on, but one person definitely comes to mind. Living in a time where apartheid was accepted and white minority rule it was Nelson Mandela who stood up and decided it was time for a change in South Africa.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born July 18th 1918 in Transkei, South Africa into a family with royal parentage (Williams). His father was the principal counsellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people; he died in 1930 leaving the young Nelson Mandela as the ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni (nelsonmandela). When he was here he heard stories told by his elders making him want to contribute to the freedom of his people at a young age (Williams). Nelson Mandela started his life of protest at a young age; while he was at the University College of Fort Hare he was expelled for joining in a student protest (nelsonmandela). This occurs many times through his life; he would enter a school, or even be a highly ranked member of a certain group, and get kicked out due to his protesting.

He soon joined one organization which would praise his boycotting, the ...

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... to this day they are still free from restraint due to Nelson Mandela’s hard life work. Following this end to the apartheid Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994 (Williams). He then stepped down in 1995 and continued to help various different foundations until 2007 when he settled down and left the political world completely. Then, in December 2013, he died at his home in Johannesburg as a hero who was proud of his life and satisfied with the goals he came to accomplish (nelsonmandela).

Works Cited

Brainyquote. n.d. 24 March 2014. .

nelsonmandela. n.d. 6 Feburary 2014. .

nobelprize. 2013. 25 February 2014.

Williams, Michael W. ""Nelson Mandela"." Dictionary of World Biography: The 20Th Century (2000) (2000): 1-3. Academic Journal.

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