I think that every person admires someone. In fact, it is useful to look up to someone with good qualities or worthy deeds. Most young people find idols in cinema or music sphere, but my hero is a public figure, who has changed to better lives of many people in his country. It’s Nelson Mandela. He was a South African anti-apartheid politician and philanthropist. Before the abrogation of apartheid South Africa was a horrible to live. The country was characterized by conflict, unspeakable suffering and inconceivable injustice. Society was in deep crisis and discrimination ruled everywhere. People, who didn’t have white color of skin, were underprivileged in any sphere of life, including education, medicine, political voice and any other human rights. Apartheid was disassembled in 1994 with the first democratic president elections, when Nelson Mandela won the campaign. He was the President of South Africa for five years, during which his government constantly fought racism, poverty and inequality. He was also the President of the African National Congress for eight years. I admire this man’s courage and yearning for justice. I know that he spent 27 years of his life in prison. However, he didn’t get dispirited, he didn’t lose faith in himself and his ideas. On the contrary, he rose through his work and he never wavered in his devotion to equality. He went through terrible provocations, but never answered racism with racism. Everybody in his country knew that this peaceful transition from inhumane conditions to egalitarian society was Nelson Mandela’s achievement. Soon he became a role model for the whole country and a favorite leader of all times. Even today after his death in 2013, he is well-remembered and respected.
