Former South African President, Nelson Mandela, in a jovial mood at the Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005 where he met with the winner and runner-up of the local " Idols" competition. The 87-year-old former political prisoner who became the country's first black president in 1994 remains a popular high profile figure since retiring from public life in recent years. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

Former South African President, Nelson Mandela, in a jovial mood at the Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005 where he met with the winner and runner-up of the local ” Idols” competition. The 87-year-old former political prisoner who became the country’s first black president in 1994 remains a popular high profile figure since retiring from public life in recent years. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

Rolihlahla Mandela aka Nelson Mandela – First black President of the Republic of South Africa, and democratically elected Chief executive who served as President of South Africa from 1994-1999. Mandela is known in the World for his revolutionary, philanthropist, and peacemaking personality – he got Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He learned the fear of white dominance in a very young age through his elders. He had a great impact of the white World at the age of 7, when his teacher decided to give him a name “Nelson” that better suited to a white society. The rest of his life was fighting for freedom of rights, he succeeded because he never stopped!

#MandelaDay is a day to remember the importance of Determination and Struggle for your Rights! We all have collective responsibility towards issues our societies, communities, countries, and the World is facing! Let’s all realize the fact that Mandela’s life was not a struggle for his own but a lesson for the World leaders to make it done what people think is impossible. Luckily, we enjoy the perks of living in a free world where social media can bring revolutions, and reaching out to the Global community is not a challenge. The challenge we have is to fight with our souls. A fight for Freedom. To give justice that everyone deserves. By stepping up as a leader considering yourself the lone soldier of humanity. An individual example can be an inspiration for the entire World, this should be the motto of our lives.

As Atlas Corps fellows, we now have a global community of Leaders – People who have worked on social issues, and can deliver anything back to their societies if they are willing to do. I am sure we all are those lucky candidates from our Countries, who despite of several applications from our Countries – got placed at their host organization. This shows how important it is for us all to set an example when we go back to our Countries, by sharing our experience of learning other cultures, respecting difference of opinions, celebrating different cultures and religious events/festivals. Your community knows you and understand word coming out from your mouth – You are the brand ambassador of the Global Village. There are challenges, there are issues but there are several solutions for all these challenges and issues – like Nelson Mandela said, “ May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears”.

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