KweséESPN staff 6y

Sporting social media reacts to Nelson Mandela Day

Cricket, Rugby, Cycling

South African icon Nelson Mandela was born 100 years ago today, the 18th of July, and sports stars from around the world took to social media to express their admiration for Madiba.

A lawyer by training, Mandela spent 27 years as a political prisoner in opposition to Apartheid, much of it on Robben Island off the coast of Cape Town, and in 1994 became the country's first democratically elected president.

He served two four-year terms before stepping down and into philanthropic pursuits, and passed away in 2013, at the age of 95.

Mandela, a proficient boxer in his youth, had a strong connection to the sporting world, and this was evident in the reactions on social media throughout the day.

South Africa rugby captain Siya Kolisi, who recently became the first black player to lead the Springboks, took to Instagram to share his appreciation for Tata (which means father in isiXhosa, and is used as a term of endearment).

Every year South Africans remember Tata Madiba, as he was known, by taking part in 67 minutes of charitable works, with each minute representing the number of years he fought for his country's freedoms.

The admiration wasn't confined to South African rugby either, with former England and Lions player Ugo Monye adding his own tribute on Twitter.

Zimbabwe swimmer Kirsty Coventry, who has seven Olympic medals and is Africa's most decorated Olympian, quoted former US president Barack Obama in her tweet. Obama delivered the annual Nelson Mandela Foundation lecture in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Africa's Tour de France cycling team, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, already a charity-driven outfit, went the more visual tribute route.

The cricket stars were not to be left out, with swing bowler Vernon Philander, on tour with the Proteas in Sri Lanka, penning a heartfelt message on Instagram.

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