JOHANNESBURG — People around the world celebrated Mandela Day on Tuesday (July 18). The day remembers South African leader’s achievements in working toward conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist, and the country’s first democratically elected president in a fully representative democratic election. His main focus was to dismantle the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalized racism and fostering racial reconciliation.

Mandela served 27 years of his life in prison, initially on Robben Island, and later in Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison. Amid growing domestic and international pressure, and with fears of a racial civil war, he was released by President F. W. de Klerk in 1990. Mandela and de Klerk negotiated an end to apartheid and organized the 1994 multiracial general election in which Mandela led the ANC to victory and became president. Leading a broad coalition government which promulgated a new constitution, Mandela emphasized reconciliation between the country’s racial groups and created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate past human rights abuses. Economically, Mandela’s administration retained its predecessor’s liberal framework despite his own socialist beliefs, also introducing measures to encourage land reform, combat poverty, and expand health-care services.

Mandela has become an international icon and hero, who will forever live in the hearts of many South Africans as well as people from around the world. As South Africa’s first democratically elected president, the transition of South Africa from apartheid to democracy was championed by Mandela who was acknowledged for his significant role to a peaceful revolution in the country.

On 27 April 2009, the 46664 (indicative of Mandela’s prison number) concerts and the Nelson Mandela Foundation invited the global community to join them in support of an official Mandela Day. Mandela Day is not a public holiday, but is a day to honor the legacy of Mandela, and his values, through volunteering and community service.

Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact.

According to a statement issued by the Nelson Mandela foundation, the Mandela Day campaign message is: “Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes. We would be honored if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace, reconciliation and cultural diversity.”

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared July 18, as Nelson Mandela International Day,’ in recognition of the former South African president’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.