Today in history: Nelson Mandela wins Nobel Peace Prize

Often referred to as the father of the nation by South Africans, Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on 15 October 1993 for his work “for the peaceful termination of the Apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa” (as quoted from the Nobel committee).

Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist and politician who served 27 years in prison. After being freed in 1990 he became the president of the African National Congress (1991-97) before being elected the first black president of South Africa in a fully multiracial election in 1994.

For his activism, he received over 250 honours, including the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Soviet Order of Lenin.

Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with F.W. de Klerk (A South African politician who served as the deputy president from 1994 to 1996 and South Africa’s last head of state from the era of the white-minority rule).