Nelson “Madiba” Mandela fought against both white and black supremacy, and the ideal of a free society. His conviction of the power and importance of true democracy grew even stronger over the years.

When elected president, instead of exacting revenge and oppressing the white population and its former leadership, he chose the former apartheid president F.W. de Klerk as his vice president and established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC was a body where persons who considered themselves to have been victims of apartheid were allowed to speak, and persons who had committed bad acts were allowed to testify and ask for amnesty. A clear evidence of his belief in humans and the power of reconciliation.

He is a true inspiration around the world by being truly human. Nelson Mandela is an obvious part of PAAM’s Hall of Fame.