Wangari Maathai the Tree Lady of Africa
In Africa, she is sometimes referred to as the "tree lady" why because all the trees in Africa know her by name. She was born to save trees and she saved so many trees before she passed away on 25th September, 2011, after a prolonged battle with cancer. In a land where girl child education was considered unimportant at all. In a land where the kitchen was considered the formal office of the girl-child and the broom, her official pen. In a land where female children were considered inferior to male children. In a land where the woman was sometimes considered just a child-bearing machine and an object of marriage. In a land where men were interested in only uneducated girls and girls with no formal education. In a land where almost everybody was against a girl child getting a formal degree. One female stood against all odds. One African girl-child stood firmer than tradition and changed history for the better. One female stood against all opposition and oppression and rose above all including men in her community. One African girl child rose to become the first female to earn a doctorate degree in all of East and Central Africa. Her name is Wangari Maathai, the beautiful daughter of mother Africa.
Nelson Mandela is for all: Our Father and Grandfather
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela popular known as Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo a small village located at the south eastern part of South Africa in a district called Umtata. Nelson Mandela was 93 years old on July 18, 2011. Nelson Mandela's middle name "ROLIHLAHLA" is a Xhosa name which literally means "pulling the branch of a tree" which can also mean "stirring up trouble" or a "trouble maker". His name Rolihlahla therefore fitted him perfectly especially during the years of apartheid when Nelson Mandela was considered a trouble maker and later on declared a wanted man for stirring up so many troubles in South Africa.
Today however, the name Rolihlahla has a totally different meaning. The name Rolihlahla today stands for a man of peace and justice. Rolihlahla today stands for a courageous freedom fighter who uses his brains instead of guns to win freedom battles. Nelson Mandela despite being a hero remains very humble and continues fighting and winning freedom battles even at this his age.
Nelson Mandela to most Africans today remains the greatest leader alive in Africa. Nelson Mandela remains one of the greatest leaders of all time in the world today. Instead of adding more petrol to the burning flame in seek of vengeance, this true son of Africa calmed the flame with cooling waters by forgiving his "enemies" and bringing peace to all of South Africa and around the world.
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