Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa and African National Congress leader, passed away last Thursday at the age of 95.  Mandela, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, served 27 years of a life prison sentence and devoted his life to end the system of apartheid in South Africa. In 1994, he became the first black president to lead South Africa.  An article from the ABA Journal is available here, acknowledging Mandela's role in teaching his nation -- and beyond -- the importance of the "rule of law" as opposed to "rule by law."  The article also provides links to other news sources.

In recognition of Mandela's contributions to the rule of law, the law library is currently featuring a display which highlights several print titles in the library's collection concerning the history of South Africa and the movement against apartheid.  Especially featured is Politics by Other Means: Law in the Struggle Against Apartheid, 1980-1994, by Richard L. Abel, with a foreword written by Nelson Mandela.  The display also features an article available from HeinOnline: Daisy M. Jenkins, From Apartheid to Majority Rule: A Glimpse Into South Africa's Journey Toward Democracy, 13 Ariz. J. Int'l & Comp. L. 463 (1996).

Those interested in learning more about the life of Nelson Mandela may want to visit the Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory, a digital archive project which aims to "locate, document, digitise, and provide access to all archival materials related to Nelson Mandela."  The Centre offers several digital exhibits chronicling different periods in Mandela's life, from his early life and imprisonment, to his presidential and retirement years.  Other exhibits focus on personal aspects of Mandela's life, such as his love of children and commitment to charitable work on behalf of youth in South Africa and around the world.  Each exhibit offers detailed information woven together with digitized documents.  For example, the exhibit on Mandela's prison years offers digital images of his Warrants of Committal, photographs of Mandela's cell and the prison, and letters to family members and others.  A smuggled letter from Mandela to his attorneys is featured in the law library's display.