12 Major Accomplishments by Nelson Mandela

South Africa is synonymous with Nelson Mandela (born July 18, 1918, Mvezo, South Africa—died December 5, 2013, Johannesburg). Our late and former president was renowned for his role as a revolutionary leader who spent almost seven decades of his life in the struggle against white minority rule and for a free and democratic non-racial society.

Mandela’s pre-eminence lies in the fact that he was a visionary, a democrat, and an international political leader who exercised his influence and leadership with humility and respect for his colleagues and opponents alike. Above all, he was a man stubborn in his resolve to fight all forms of discrimination, injustice, and inequality.

It is no wonder, then, that in November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day – in honour of his birthday. This is the first time the United Nations has designated a day in honour of a person. In line with the legacy of Nelson Mandela, the UN asked us all to set aside 67 minutes of our day on 18 July to do something that will contribute to bringing joy or relief to the millions of disadvantaged and vulnerable people of the world.

We know Mr. Mandela as a prominent member of the African National Congress. He spent 27 years of his life in prison, from 1964 to 1990. After his release, he and the then-president, Mr. F. W. de Klerk, negotiated an end to apartheid. In 1994, Nelson Mandela became the first black President of South Africa in the country’s first multiracial elections.

A List of Mandela’s 12 Major Accomplishments

1. Mandela became the national president of the ANC Youth League in 1950. This was a pivotal moment that established him as a rising leader in the liberation struggle. At just 32, his election showed his growing influence among younger activists who favoured more militant resistance to apartheid. The Youth League pushed the ANC toward direct action and mass campaigns, transforming it from a moderate organisation into a more radical force.
2. He was a leading opponent of the 1948 apartheid legislation. When the National Party formalised apartheid with laws like the Population Registration Act and Group Areas Act, Mandela helped organise the ANC’s resistance campaigns. He played a key role in the 1952 Defiance Campaign, which encouraged mass civil disobedience against unjust laws, personally leading by example through acts of peaceful resistance.
3. He co-founded the first black legal partnership in South Africa. In 1952, Mandela and Oliver Tambo established South Africa’s first black law firm, providing affordable legal services to black clients who were routinely denied justice under apartheid. This groundbreaking practice not only served the community but also demonstrated the capability of black professionals in defiance of apartheid assumptions.
4. His speech during the Rivonia Trial is regarded as one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century. Facing the death penalty in 1964, Mandela’s four-hour speech concluded with the immortal words: “I am prepared to die for an ideal.” This powerful declaration of principles turned his trial into a global platform for the anti-apartheid cause and inspired liberation movements worldwide.
5. Nelson Mandela played the leading role in ending apartheid. Through decades of resistance, imprisonment, and negotiation, Mandela became the central figure in dismantling institutionalised racial segregation. His moral authority and willingness to engage in peaceful transition made him indispensable to the complex negotiations that led to the end of white minority rule.
6. Nelson Mandela was the first black President of South Africa – His election in 1994 marked the end of centuries of white domination and the birth of the “rainbow nation.” This historic achievement represented not just personal triumph but the fulfilment of millions of South Africans’ dreams for equality and democracy.
7. He focused on national reconciliation during his presidency. Rather than seeking revenge, Mandela prioritised healing the nation’s racial wounds through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and symbolic gestures that brought former enemies together. His approach of “rainbow nation” building became a model for post-conflict societies globally.
8. He served as the Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999. This role positioned him as a leading voice for developing nations and demonstrated South Africa’s return to international respectability. He used this platform to advocate for Third World debt relief and peaceful conflict resolution.
9. He founded several organisations to promote equality and address issues such as AIDS. After his presidency, Mandela established foundations focusing on children’s welfare, education, and HIV/AIDS awareness. His 46664 campaign (named after his prison number) brought global attention to Africa’s AIDS crisis and raised funds for treatment and prevention programs.
10. Mandela received more than 260 honours during his life, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. This unprecedented recognition reflected his global impact on human rights and peaceful conflict resolution. The Nobel Prize, shared with F.W. de Klerk, specifically honoured their work in ending apartheid through negotiation rather than violence.
11. His 27 years in prison. This extraordinary sacrifice demonstrated his unwavering commitment to justice and transformed him into a global symbol of resistance to oppression. His refusal to accept conditional release in exchange for renouncing his beliefs showed remarkable moral courage.
12. His role in South Africa’s rugby legacy. South Africa has won the Rugby World Cup a record four times (1995, 2007, 2019, 2023), making them the most successful nation in the tournament’s history. For South Africans, rugby represents far more than just a sport – it’s a symbol that has transcended racial divides. The 1995 victory was particularly significant, with President Mandela presenting the Webb Ellis Cup to captain Francois Pienaar while wearing the Springbok jersey, a moment that epitomised the new South Africa. The Springboks’ continued success, especially their recent back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2023, serves as a source of immense national pride that unites South Africans across all racial and cultural lines, embodying Mandela’s vision of a unified rainbow nation.

Total Risk Administrators, For All South Africans

Many things have happened in SA after Mandela’s presidency, one of which is the failure of the public health system. Due to this, private healthcare in South Africa is often viewed as non-negotiable; however, few South Africans can actually afford it. That’s where medical aid and gap cover products come in.

At TRA (Total Risk Administrators), we strive to help South Africans avoid being overwhelmed by medical costs. Medical aid provides private medical coverage for various health issues. This consists of a monthly payment that includes various benefits, depending on your plan. However, sometimes, having medical aid is not enough, as private healthcare providers often charge more than what your medical aid can cover.

That’s where gap cover comes in. We cover the shortfall between what your medical aid can pay and what your healthcare providers are charging. To find out more, check out our gap cover packages.