Introduction:
The 20th century saw number of social reforms and reformers who aimed at bringing about relive to the world. These individuals brought about massive change to the history and set a new trend towards leadership, social reforms and welfare of mankind. They have set precedence for human welfare and noble deeds.
Nelson Mandela stands as central figure who aimed at bringing the two set of people and communities together that were divided by all means and metrics of social standing. Nelson Mandela was born in 1918. He hailed from a family that enjoyed considerable repute and recognition and had a history of social influence and participation. Nelson Mandela took to the social and political activities towards the 1940s. He soon joined the African National Congress party which would help him raising his voice in a better manner towards the unification of the nation that was divided within based on ethnic and historic backgrounds. His actions came about against a minority white government that had taken hostage the ruling stations and had resulted in resentment and dissatisfaction amongst the large population of South Africa. The entire movement came about in form of the apartheid movement which struggled for the rights and equality amongst the people.
Apart from the end output in form of the independence declaration of South Africa, his other achievements come in form of good governance establishment in South Africa. This was supported by the struggle of over three decades. He is known as the liberator, the reformer, the social guide, the President, and the live giver of South Africa. He went on to become the president and was in seat and power from 1994 to 1999(Abegunrin, 2003, p.96). After that he spent a retired life and served as a living role model for the rest of the world to ponder upon his works, philosophy and actions with hopes and bids to bringing the world together in a more humanly and brotherly manner. Her views regarding the abortion and use of the contraceptive pills were seen as point of conflict with the many international firms and the providers of these medicines. However apart from this, she had no political moves or maneuvers to her actions and was solely dedicated towards human welfare and relieving them in one way or the other.
Nelson Mandela spent nearly three decades in prison for the crime that was none but raising the voice for the rights of the black and bringing about equality in the social order and institutions. He was released towards 1989, 1990 and from there on his political activities gained an impetus and he went on to become the globally recognized leader. He was ultimately chosen as the First President of South Africa in 1994. He earned himself a noble Laureate Award as well (Shalev, 2003,p. 91). The fact that the award was shared with a white President speaks volumes of his personality and the character he possessed. Having fought the white for decades for the rights, he sat on table and shared the award without bringing ego or any other historic hard feelings in line.
The basic principles and guidelines along which his government was established were based upon eradication of the imbalance that had prevailed in the social sector, the poverty culmination, the uprooting of the legacy of the apartheid that had held the entire nation and society hostage and developing the foundations along a line that would serve for a prosperous South African state in days ahead. Nelson Mandela went out to live an age of 95 years and passed away in December 2013 (Biwi, 2013). The world had lost one of the contemporary role models but he left a legacy to be followed which would for sure serve as the panacea towards social evils.
Mother Teresa:
Mother Teresa was another major figure of the twentieth century who made her name through the philanthropic efforts and contributions. She was completely apolitical in her efforts and contributions and served the world in a more humanistic manner. Her message was above the color greed, religion. It was for the greater good of the human society.
Mother Teresa hailed from Europe and was born towards the start of 20th century. She was born in Macedonia (Chitkara, 1998, p.8). While still was in her teens, she decided to take along a path that was difficult and challenging but was aimed at bringing about relieve to the mankind. Her first stay in this field came about in place of Sisters of Loreto. It was around 1930, 1931 when she formally took the vows of becoming a nun formally. She had her span of time spent in Ireland and India as well. Her long term stay would come about in India in longer run where she would establish a center of excellence and human welfare that would go on to become an epitome of human welfare, benevolence and charity towards the good of mankind.
During her stay in India at Calcutta, she came across quite a considerably low live style of people who were directly exposed to hunger, disease and other depravity of the social form. This in turn motivated and moved her deciding to lead a life towards the welfare of those people. Her first move came about in the form of establishing a school for the minors and initial school kids. She did not have major resources and finances that would enable her following her dreams and ambitions in a larger manner. It was later that she gained the attention of the world community. It went out to become Mother Teresa welfare trust where people would donate from across the world. Gaining momentum towards her efforts and cause, she went on to establish a fund and organization in the name of “The Missionaries of Charity”. She soon in coming years gained support and permission of the Pope at that time to work in a larger manner towards achieving her goals that were based along the lines of human welfare and eradicating the distress and disparity within. Her established organization and societies of humanity and welfare and missionary missions’ area spread out in various parts of the world. Regardless of the any political differences, the global communities have accommodated her mission and people and are welcomed in various ways.
For her efforts she was awarded with Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 (Ritter, 2011, p. 70). She also raised her voice towards the rights of the AIDs effected people. Her mission was for the greater good of humanity without any discrimination of the health issues. One such effort came about in 1971 when she visited United States of America and established a care home for people who had been hit by the disease of AIDS. Mother Teresa went on to live eight seven springs and summers and she died in 1997.
References:
Abegunrin, O. (2003). Nigerian Foreign Policy Under Military Rule, 1966-1999. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Biwi, M. (2013). Nelson Mandela’s Quotes and Tributes. LULU Press.
Chitkara, M. G. (1998). Mother Teresa. APH Publishing.
Ritter, C. R. (2011). Mother Teresa: Humanitarian & Advocate for the Poor. ABDO,.
Shalev, B. A. (2003). 100 Years of Nobel Prizes. Atlantic Publishers & Dist.
