LATER LIFE & LEGACY

Nelson Mandela smiles at his retirement ceremony.
(Photo courtesy of Corbis).

After retiring from office and active politics, Nelson Manela devoted him time to making peace and social justice around the world. In 1999, he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Elders. Those involved in these organization focus their time on global issues and easing human suffering. Nelson Mandela and the Elders made impact upon Asia, the Middle East, and Africa through promoting women's equality, demanding an end to the offenses against women, and promoting democracy. Through his Foundation, he raised money to build schools and clinics in South Africa. In the early 2000s, Mandela started his efforts of spreading the awareness of AIDS and treatment for the disease, which affects South African people more than any other population on earth. 

Seriously committed to world issues, forever
smiling. (Wikispaces).

Mandela was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer in 2001. In June 2004, at the age of 85, he announced his formal retirement from public life and returned to his native village of Qunu. Most of his public appearances ceased in 2010 as his health is becoming more of a concern. Mandela suffered from his first lung infection in 2011, and was briefly hospitalized to Johannesburg had a surgery for a stomach ailment. He returned to to his city of Qunu a few days later to where he spends his time in the childhood community. He was hospitalized again in December 2012 and March 2013 due to more respiratory infections. Hours later, he was responding positively to treatment.

"We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family and to keep them in their thoughts. We have full confidence in the medical team and know that they will do everything possible to ensure recovery." - Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, 2013.

Nelson Mandela (middle) holds up his medal and certificate
after he was jointed awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with
F.W. de Klerk (right). (Photo courtesy of Getty Images). 

Nelson Mandela remains to symbolize peace and equality in the world. For his fight for equality and peace, Nelson Mandela has received more than 700 awards over the years, such as the Nobel Peace Prize and U.S. Congressional Medal. He has a multitude of honorary degrees, honorary citizenships, and honorary memberships of organizations around the the globe. Streets and buildings in every habitual continent have been named in honor of Nelson Mandela and statues have been created in his name. In 2009, his birthday, July 18, was officially named Mandela Day, in celebration of all the work he has put into making the world a more equal, peaceful place. This annual event stands as a day of encouragement to citizens worldwide in hopes that they will give some of their time to the world's suffering as Nelson Mandela gave his whole life.