Who is Nelson Mandela?

Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid revolutionary and the first President of

South Africa.

Mandela was born on 18 July 1918. He was given the forename ‘Rolihlahla’,
meaning troublemaker, and in later years became known by his clan name,
‘Madiba’. At school, Mandela was given the English forename ‘Nelson’ by his
teacher. When he was 12 years old, his father died and Mandela was entrusted to
the guardianship of the regent of the Thembu people. Mandela learned about his
ancestors’ resistance of imperialism and apartheid.

What was apartheid?

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation in South Africa. It was enforced
through legislation. Under apartheid, the rights and freedoms of the majority
black inhabitants and other ethnic groups in South Africa were restricted, and
white minority rule was perpetuated.
From 1960 to 1983, 3.5 million non-white South Africans were removed from
their homes and forced into segregated neighbourhoods. Non-white political
representation was abolished in 1970 and black people were deprived of their
citizenship. The government segregated education, medical care and other public
services, and provided black people with services inferior to those reserved for
white people.
How did Mandela fight apartheid?
At university in the 1940s, Mandela became increasingly involved in politics. He
joined the African National Congress (‘ANC’), a political party opposed to the
prevailing South African government during apartheid. Mandela helped to form
the ANC Youth League and served on its executive committee.
After the South African general election 1948, in which only white people were
permitted to vote, the National Party came to power. Mandela and others in the
ANC began advocating direct action against apartheid, such as boycotts and
strikes. At a rally on 22 June 1952, initiating protests for the ANC’s Defiance
Campaign Against Unjust Laws, Mandela addressed a crowd of 10,000 people. He
was subsequently arrested, but the campaign established Mandela as a
prominent political figure in South Africa.
At this point, the South African government and many in the international
community (including US President Ronald Reagan and UK Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher) considered Mandela’s ANC a terrorist organisation. In July
1963, Mandela and others were charged with sabotage and conspiracy to
violently overthrow the government.

From the dock and behind bars

Mandela’s trial gained international attention. Mande
la and his associates used the trial to highlight their political cause. On 20 April
1964, facing the death penalty, Mandela made a powerful speech to the court:

“I have fought against white domination, and I have

fought against black domination. I have cherished
the ideal of a democratic and free society in which
all persons live together in harmony and with equal
opportunities.”
“It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to
achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am
prepared to die.”

On 12 June 1964, the court found Mandela guilty of all charges. Although the
prosecution had called for the death sentence, the judge instead sentenced Mandela
to life imprisonment.

While in prison, Mandela took part in strikes to improve prison conditions: a

small-scale contribution to the broader anti-apartheid struggle. He corresponded
with other anti-apartheid activists. In March 1980, the slogan “Free Mandela!”,
coined by a journalist, sparked an international campaign. The UN Security
Council called for Mandela’s release. A new State President of South
Africa, Frederik Willem de Klerk, came to power in 1989. He decided to legalise
all formerly banned political parties and announced Mandela’s unconditional
release.

The end of apartheid

Mandela was freed on 11 February 1990. In 1991, Mandela was elected ANC
President. Unrest continued. Mandela gave many speeches calling for calm and
negotiated with the government. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were jointly
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. A general election was set for 27 April 1994. The
ANC won with 63% of the vote. The newly elected assembly’s first act was to
formally elect Mandela as South Africa’s first President. Mandela oversaw the
transition from apartheid minority rule to a multicultural democracy. The new
Constitution of South Africa was agreed in May 1996, enshrining citizens’ rights
and setting up institutions to check executive power.

Mandela retired from politics in June 1999, but continued to take part in activism
and philanthropy. After a series of long-running illnesses, Mandela died on 5

Mandela is widely considered the “founding father of democracy” in South

Africa. Elleke Boehmer, Professor of World Literature in English at
Oxford University, described Mandela as “a universal symbol of social
justice“. Mandela has an enduring legacy as the world’s most famous prisoner, a
symbol of the anti-apartheid cause, and an icon for millions who embrace the ideal
of equality.

Pictures of Nelson Mandela:

4 moral values:
1. He fought against white domination and he have also fought
against black domination.
2. He sacrifice for his country.
3. He never give up to make his country a better place/ country.
4. He helped some of the people from suffering.