Nelson Mandela participated in philanthropy.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela ( [ mænˈdɛlə ] 18 July 1918 -- 5 December 2013 ) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary , politician , and philanthropist , who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 . Philanthropy ( from Greek φιλανθρωπία ) means etymologically , the love of humanity , in the sense of caring , nourishing , developing , and enhancing what it means to be human . The definition also serves to contrast philanthropy with business endeavors , which are private initiatives for private good , e.g. , focusing on material gain , and with government endeavors , which are public initiatives for public good , e.g. , focusing on provision of public services . A person who practices philanthropy is called a philanthropist .