B’nai B’rith International is saddened by the loss of former South African President Nelson Mandela, who will be remembered as one of the 20th century’s leading figures and the man who led the transformation of his country from one of apartheid to majority rule.

Mandela, 95, died after years of failing health. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was the first democratically elected president in post-apartheid South Africa, holding the position from 1994 to 1999.  

As president, Mandela worked to create a multicultural society after years of minority rule. His new government in post-apartheid South African wrote a new constitution, investigated human rights abuses by the previous regime, tackled the issue of racism in his country and focused on helping the poor and disenfranchised.