A Hero is a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and qualities. These African Heroes below have greatly help in developing our nation and will forever be remembered for their deeds. Here is a list of 10 great African heroes that changed the world:
1. Nelson Mandela(1918-2013)
The former president and South African activist helped bring an end to apartheid and has a been a global advocate for human rights. Madiba was a leader of both peaceful protest and armed resistance against the white minority's oppressive regime in a racially divided South Africa. His actions landed him in prison for over 27 years and made him the face of anti apartheid movement both within his country and internationally. After his release in 1990, he strongly participated in the eradication of apartheid and in 1994 became the South African Black President forming a multi-ethnic government to oversee the country's transition. After retiring from politics in 1999, he still remained a devoted champion for peace and social justice in his own nation and worldwide. Nelson Mandela is a living legend, a freedom fighter and will always be among the most recognizable and respected face in the World.
2. Kwame Nkrumah(1909-1972)
Ghanian nationalist leader who led the gold coast drive for independence from Britain and presided over its emegence as the new nation Ghana. He went on to be named life president of both the nation and his political party ,until the army and police in Ghana seized power in 1966 and he found asylum in Guinea. He was Africa's foremost spokesman and actively contributed to the formation of the organisation of African Union and Pan-African movement in general.
3. Haile Selassie(1892-1975)
Hailee Selassie was an emperor of Ethiopia whose influenced as an African Leader far surpassed the boundaries of his country. He sought to modernize his country and brought Ethiopia into the league of nations and united nations and made Addis Ababa the major center for the organisation of African Unity. He helped denounced the recent invasion and conquest of his country by Italy and demanded the league to take concerted action against the Italians. Selassie became an inspirational figure in the movement for African Independence for the way he resisted the Italian.
4.Cleopatra VII(70 BC-30 BC)
As queen of ancient Egypt, Cleopatra is one of the most famous female rulers in history. She was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, ruling Egypt from 51 BC - 30 BC. She sought to defend Egypt from the Roman Empire , forming an alliance with Marc Anthony and Julius Caesar. She was mostly celebrated for her beauty.
5.Desmond Tutu(1931 -)
Desmond Tutu is a South African Anglican cleric and a prominent figurehead in the campaign against apartheid. After the fall of apartheid, he took part in the truth and reconciliation process to heal the wounds apartheid. He is now a leading global humanitarian and ambassador of good will. In 1984, he won the noble prize for peace for his efforts.
6. Kofi Annan(1938 -)
Annan is best known for his role as secretary general of the united nations. He pursued a varied career in the UN system until 1993, when he was appointed Deputy Secretary General for peacekeeping operations, a position he held until 1997 and later on took over the United Nation as the seventh secretary general.
7. Olaudah Equiano(1745 - 1797)
Equiano was a former enslaved African, seaman and merchant who wrote an autobiography depicting the horrors of slavery and lobbied parliament for its abolition. His book "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano" played a pivotal role in turning public opinion in Britain against slavery. The book became a Best Seller and as well as furthering the anti slavery cause.
8.Dr Christian Barnard(1922 - 2001)
Dr Barnard was a South African surgeon who performed the world's first heart transplant in 1967. His first patient Louis Washkanky lived only 18 days, though his second Dr. Philip Blaiberg, lived more than 19 months.
9. Gamal Abdal Nasser(1918 - 1970)
He became the second president of Egypt in 1956 and had a large influenced on Egypt and world politics. He renationalised the Suez canal and became popular across the Arab world. He challenge what was perceived as the western dominance of the Middle East. Nasser remains a highly revered figure in both Egypt and the Arab world.
10. Shaka Zulu(1787 - 1828)
Shaka Zulu was the founder of South Africa's Zulu Empire and was one of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu kingdom. He is best Know for creating a fighting force that devastated the entire region. He is said to be one of the greatest military leaders in African history and perhaps of the world. Although there is a controversy around the brutality of his methods, and the strictness with which he trained his troops, he improved warfare methods forever
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