Nelson Mandela

The photograph of a black woman standing up to neo-Nazis in Sweden on May 1 has gone viral, and she hopes her act will bring attention to the fight against racism.

Danny Schechter, a writer, journalist, documentary filmmaker, died of pancreatic cancer in New York City on March 19.

With Nelson Mandela’s death, news from South Africa seemed to have died along with the world’s most famous ex-political prisoner turned president. It was as if the people there don’t deserve to be covered unless there is a larger-than-life celebrity or scandal to focus on.

The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership awards $5 million to an exceptional African political leader. According to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation website, the requirements for the prize are that the leader is a “former African Executive Head of State or Government” who “left office in the last three years,” was “democratically elected,” “served his/her constitutionally mandated term,” and “demonstrated exceptional leadership.” In addition, the official had to be elected to public office through fair and free elections and must have stepped down at the end of his/her specified term.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s death signals not only the passing away of a gifted politician. It is the death of one of the most significant figures of the 20th century.

Just days before he died Nelson Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe Mandela told SABC, that her father (from his first marriage) was teaching the family life lessons from what she termed his “deathbed.”

A selection of quotes from Nelson Mandela.

Timeline of key events in the life of Nelson Mandela.

It has been said that this is the year of the black film. Three have stood out as Oscar buzz begins in earnest.

Americans connect Nelson Mandela with Martin Luther King, but according to one historian Mandela has more in common with George Washington.

The clock is ticking for Nelson Mandela’s life. The latest news is not good. His condition is now said to be critical. The intensive care doctors have downgraded their “stable but serious” diagnosis. Members of his family may have paid their final visits this past weekend.

President Barack Obama is arriving in South Africa on June 29, perhaps too late to have a conversation with former South African President Nelson Mandela, who is in critical condition in a Pretoria hospital. Both Nobel laureates represent historic breakthroughs for their countries, and South African philosophy has influenced the American civil rights movement that made Obama’s election possible.

The National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS) kicked off Global Youth Traffic Safety Month in Washington DC.

These are not the best of times in South Africa. It seems clear that there is fear and loathing everywhere as the press is packed with fresh allegations of corruption, and a restive mood spreads across the country.