Mandela dies at 95, leaves behind legacy
Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa and an anti-Apartheid activist, has died, according to the Associated Press. He was 95.
“He is now resting. He is now at peace,” South African President Jacob Zuma said following Thursday’s announcement, according to The Associated Press. “Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.”
Mandela was sentenced to prison in 1964 after being convicted of treason and remained in the Robben Island Prison until 1990.
In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work, and a year later, he became South Africa’s first black president during the nation’s first free elections.
— Natalie Pita, Staff Writer
High-income turnout leads to strong-mayor loss
The rejection of a strong-mayor referendum held Tuesday owes to the combination of heavier turnout in two higher-income City Council districts and large numbers of African-American voters staying home, according to an analysis by The State.
In nine precincts, the strong-mayor measure failed by 100 or more votes. These precincts, which are represented by City Council members Moe Baddourah, Leona Plaugh or both, provided 1,400 of the 1,629 votes that put “no” voters over the top.
Voter turnout was below 10 percent in 21 precincts, and supporters of the new form of government for Columbia won 17 of the precincts.
According to officials on both sides of the issue, African-American voters didn’t vote because they were not motivated by the issue or they were concerned about offending their neighbors or black leaders, who were also divided on the issue.
— Compiled by Natalie Pita, Staff Writer
Jenny Sanford to run for seat on airport board
Former South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford is seeking a seat on the board of the Charleston County Aviation Authority, The Associated Press reported.
Sanford is one of seven candidates seeking the position and is joined by five other women, according to The (Charleston) Post and Courier. Jordan Scott Pace, a field representative for Sanford’s ex-husband, U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, is also running for a seat.
The seat opened up after a board member accepted a position on the board of the Medical University of South Carolina. Charleston County’s legislative delegation is expected to decide next week who will fill the open seat.
If Jenny Sanford is picked for the position, she will earn a wage of $35 per meeting.
— Sarah Martin, Staff Writer