Nelson Mandela was awarded the World's Children's Prize 2005, and named Decade Child Rights Hero 2009, for his lifelong struggle to free the children of South Africa from apartheid, and for his unwavering support for their rights.

After 27 years in prison he became the first democratically elected president of South Africa, a country where children of all skin colours gained equal rights for the first time.
Nelson continues to help South Africa’s children and demands respect for their rights. He runs his own children’s foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF), which helps children whose parents have died of AIDS, street children, disabled children and poor children.

As president Nelson Mandela donated half of his salary to poor children and when he received the Nobel Peace Prize he gave part of the prize money to help street children. Nelson not only wants all children to feel loved, he also wants to give them a better future. That’s why he also gives children the chance to develop their talents.

Nelson Mandela was awarded jointly with his wife Graça Machel.

Download and read the comic-strip about Nelson Mandela’s life here.

Learn more about Nelson in the Globe Magazine: