Nelson Mandela - "One Team, One Country"

How much do you know about this man - Nelson Mandela?

Honestly, I didn't. All I knew was that Mr Mandela was the former president of South Africa. And prior to his presidency, he was held captive in prison for many years. And that he was someone highly respected - that's why he was elected as president.

My limited knowledge of history was given a jolt last night when I watching a segment of the 2009 ESPYS Awards Presentation, where Mr Nelson Mandela was presented the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, and there was a special message tribute given to him by the US President Barack Obama himself.

What's this Arthur Ashe Courage Award? -> It was an award given annually to individuals whose contributions transcend sports.

From ESPN.com:

Mandela was chosen for his actions at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was hosted by South Africa for the first time. After the host national team, the Springboks, won the final, Mandela, presented the William Webb Ellis Cup to South African captain Francois Pienaar. The gesture was considered a major step in the reconciliation of white and black South Africans.

"We're honored that President Mandela accepts The 2009 ESPYS' Arthur Ashe Courage Award," John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president said. "His action at the 1995 Rugby World Cup was an iconic moment in sports history. The image -- of the previously divided nation, now united under South African colors -- shows the importance of sport to society."

From examiner.com:

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award, given to Nelson Mandela and accepted by his daughter and grandson was accompanied by a short documentary that linked Mandela' s already extraordinary life story to a signature sporting event.

He worked his magic to get the Rugby World Cup to South Africa at a time of tremendous racial violence and strife that followed the first democratic elections for President in the nation's history. The games were used to unite black and white populations in a story that sounds preposterous and over-the-top. It isn't. It is a must-see short documentary.

From Wikipedia.org:

As President from May 1994 until June 1999, Mandela presided over the transition from minority rule and apartheid, winning international respect for his advocacy of national and international reconciliation.

Mandela encouraged black South Africans to get behind the previously hated Springboks (the South African national rugby team) as South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup. After the Springboks won an epic final over New Zealand, Mandela presented the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar, an Afrikaner, wearing a Springbok shirt with Pienaar's own number 6 on the back. This was widely seen as a major step in the reconciliation of white and black South Africans.

YouTube Video of President Obama's tribute to Mr Nelson Mandela:

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Mr.Keropok's Thoughts:

I have new found tremendous respect for this man from today onwards.

Mr Nelson Mandela is a History Maker!