Premium Essay

Mandela

In: Historical Events

Submitted By mariss06
Words 2248
Pages 9
Michael Ferris
May 13, 2010
African History
Prof. Teboh

Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela is recognized for his leadership as a peacemaker and for distinctive aspects of his peacemaking practices all throughout the world. He was the leader of one of the most incredible political transitions in human history. Mandela is known as one of the great moral and political leaders of our times; an international hero whose lifelong dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa, won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the presidency of his country. In his autobiography, A Long Walk to Freedom, he explains the tragedies and triumphs he has seen throughout his life. In the book, you get a glimpse of his life and how he became one of the greatest civil rights leaders in human history. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is a South African black Nationalist and statesman whose 27 year imprisonment, from 1962–1990, and later his presidency from 1994-1999, symbolized the aspirations of South Africa's black majority. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist and leader of the African National Congress. His autobiography states that he was the son of Chief Henry Mandela. Instead of following his father’s suit, Nelson Mandela abandoned his claim to the chieftainship and become a lawyer. He attended the University College of Fort Hare and studied law at the University of Witwatersrand. He later passed the bar exam to become a lawyer and in 1952 opened a law firm with Oliver Tambo. In 1944, Mandela joined the Congress (ANC), a black-liberation group, and five years later, he became one of its leaders. He helped to revitalize the organization and opposed the apartheid policies of the ruling National Party. He along with other young individuals began the difficult task of transforming the ANC into a mass movement, gaining its strength

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Mandela

...NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA was a South African revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. A man noted for his global effect brought about by his multiple advocacies. Among his many advocacies however, he is most famous by his fight against racism and is an Iconic Anti Apartheid Advocate. REACTION: Apartheid...a former social system in South Africa in which black people and people from other racial groups did not have the same political and economic rights as white people and were forced to live separately from white people. Nelson Mandela strongly believed that such a system was oppressive and that an end to it was not only needed but was also fairly attainable. By his words he opened many eyes & ignited global awareness. As a leader he was soft spoken yet his words struck like a sword to the hearts of those that they were implied to. Yes he spoke gently to his enemies but the people who rallied behind him had sheer magnitude. Yes, he was a frail and gentle man but his supporters carried a big stick. All simply because he showed them what was right and what was wrong and the oppressors could not find the words to enforce their argument and defend their disagreement to the facts. Mandela's power indeed lies in his words and while he is already gone, he will always be remembered for these famous quotes: "I HAVE LEARNED THAT COURAGE WAS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR, BUT THE TRIUMPH OVER IT. THE...

Words: 341 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Mandela

...a Nelson Mandela and African National Congress A Powerful organization that changed the segregated country of South Africa forever was the African National Congress. Originally called the South African Native National Congress, the African National Congress (ANC) is the oldest political organization in South Africa founded in 1912. This organization was intended to be a non-violent organization that would educate black South Africans but soon in the 1940s and 50s they sponsored many strikes, marches, and protests. The ANC eventually held their own strikes and protests and soon formed a military wing in 1961 that sabotaged the African government. During the last forty years the government made racial Separation against black South Africans legal in South Africa. The ANC fought for black African rights and an end to the apartheid, but however ended up getting banned in 1960. Although the African National Congress (ANC) became outlawed for over thirty years, this organization succeeded in finally gaining equal rights for all South Africans and improving South Africa’s political system. The ANC gaining equal rights for all South Africans is due to a man named Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela, proclaimed as “one of the 20th Century’s greatest leaders” , was born 1918 in a small village of South Africa. Around the age of 22, Mandela finished his boarding school education and soon attended Fort Hare University. From there Mandela earned his BA degree and...

Words: 794 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Mandela

...Nelson Mandela’s commitment to a democratic society in South Africa Nelson Mandela was born on 18th of July 1918 in Mvezo Village in South Africa’s Cape Province. He was given a colloquial name Rolihlahla, meaning ‘trouble maker’. He was later known by the name of his clan, Madiba. His paternal great grandfather was a King of Thembu people in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. One of the sons of the King was called Mandela and he was the grandfather of Nelson Mandela, hence, the source of his surname. His father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa was a councillor to the monarch and he was the local chief. Mandela and his two sisters grew up in Qunu village where he spent most of his time outside taking care of cattle. He was a Christian who liked the church. He also loved the African History and he was listening to tales from the elderly people who came to visit the palace. After his primary education, he joined secondary school in Clarkebury Boarding Institute in Engcobo, an institution that was largely dominated by Black Africans in Thembuland. He joined a Methodist college in 1937 where he developed an interest in native culture. He later joined the university of Fort Hare where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Nelson Mandela was a politician, an anti-apartheid revolutionary and a philanthropist. He was the first black president who was elected democratically to lead South Africa. He concentrated in fighting the apartheid legacy by solving the problem of poverty...

Words: 809 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...Nelson Mandela INTRODUCTION I. Attention-getter: “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. 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.” II. Introduce Person or group of people: This is a quote from the former President of South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, known more often by his people as Madiba. He is a symbol of freedom and hope, a symbol of a better South Africa, a better world. III. Preview Main Points: Throughout his entire life, Nelson Mandela has showed some true passion, commitment, and forgiveness. BODY I. During the years 1948 and 1993 South Africa was under the rule of the National Party government and the Apartheid. The Apartheid was an official policy that dealt with racial segregation involving political, legal and economic discrimination against nonwhites that was highly enforced. It was during this period where Nelson Mandela showed his true passion. He stood against the Nationalist Party, describing them as being like a grave, beautiful on the outside, and full of evil inside. He took a leadership role in the the African National Congress, the opposing party against the reigning government. It was by taking...

Words: 556 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...Nelson Mandela Who is a political leader in the United State that was interesting enough for me to discuss? It had to be someone who capture my attention and who has made an impact; not just impact a few people but on/in the world as a whole. I have heard of Nelson Mandela over the years but never knew who he really was. In researching him I have discover that he is a freedom fighter and a peace activist. A true man to be reckon with. The life of Rolihlahla Mandela began in Mvezo, a village near Mthantha in the Transkei. He was born on July 18, 1918, to Henry Mgadla Mandela and Nonqaphi Nosekeni. People often wonder what his name meant or if it had a meaning. Rolihlahla means “pulling the branch of a tree. This was a name that his father gave him. His father was the principal councilor to the Acting Paramount Chief of the Thembu. His father died when he was 9 years old, when his father past he became the ward of Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the Paramount Chief, for him to be groomed to assume a high office. So, at an early age he was prepared to be a great leader and he probably didn’t understand what was happening because he was so young. He attended a local mission school, where they gave him the name Nelson. Mandel is really a smart man; he attended several schools as he grew up. He attended Clarkebury Boarding Institute, Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary and University College of Fort Hatra for his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was later suspended because he joined in a protest...

Words: 717 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela– Book Review "…calm, patient determination to reclaim this country as your own, and now the joy that we can loudly proclaim from the rooftops--Free at last! Free at last! ... This is a time to heal the old wounds and build a new South Africa." Nelson Mandela fought his entire life. Nelson Mandela fought a fight for civil rights in South Africa on the streets and behind the prison walls. Even after 27 years behind those walls Mandela maintained his dignity and rose to be the first Black President of South Africa. Nelson Mandela's Autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom" was written up to the point Mandela won the first free election in South Africa in 1994. Before reading the summary that follows the reader should know that this is an autobiography, written by Mandela himself, so there will be bias, but by doing some external research on Mandela you would find that Mandela is not a person to hold a grudge against his oppressors. In the Tra... ... middle of paper ... ...ts or tables but in the spirit of it following a mans story there could only be a time line, but a time line would be overwhelmed by the 27 years Mandela spent in prison. Long Walk to Freedom is a useful book and makes a contribution to the reader on the understanding of the struggle all minorities (and even majorities) of oppressed people face. And how a good soul can rise above the hatred and forgive his oppressors to be a universally acclaimed symbol for the...

Words: 269 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...Nelson Mandela known as “Madiba” in South Africa not only liberated his country from violent prejudice but also helped to unite Black and white. And the method he chose is never done or seen before. He is the great leader and the closest thing the world has to a secular saint. Jailed for 27 years, he emerged to become the country's first black president and to play a leading role in the drive for peace in other spheres of conflict.. He overthrew apartheid and created a nonracial democratic South Africa by knowing precisely when and how to transition between his roles as warrior, martyr, diplomat and statesman. He never learned to bow his head within his 9000 days in Robben Island as a prisoner. He walked slowly and with his head high, he taught everyone how to be fearless. His upright and proud nature kept the other prisoners in hope and belief. He believed everything has different values. And every matter can be solved with tactics. Uncomfortable with philosophical concepts, he used the tactics to conquer the world he dreamt of. Hence by, he can be named as master tactician. The other thing Mandela believed is that ingratiating the enemy is half of wining. By speaking his opponents' language, he might understand their strengths and weaknesses and formulate tactics accordingly. He talked with Afrikaners and he understood the situation. He knew the black and the Afrikaners have something in common. They believed themselves to be Africans as much as Black did. He knew,...

Words: 817 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

... Nelson Mandela is only a hero to a certain extent because he did commit crimes during his lifetime that have a negative effect on his legacy, which a lot of people do not know about. But for the most part, Mandela has left a heroic legacy, mostly for ending apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a system of legal racial segregation enforced by the National Party governament of South Africa between 1948 and 1994. Although Nelson Mandela was wrong to be involved with the violent ways of the Umkhonto we Sizwe, he was a hero in South Africa because of his role in ending apartheid and racial inequality in South Africa, and because of his strong leadership he provided for several years. Nelson Mandela was involved with violent and communist activities during his struggle to end racial inequality in South Africa. Despite all of his heroic efforts, Mandela was the founder and commander of the military wing of the African You must Login to view the entire essay. If you are not a member yet, Sign Up for free! National Congress, the Umkhonto we Sizwe. The Umkhonto we Sizwe, or the MK was known as a terrorist outfit. But Mandela never personally killed anyone (Dyer). After Mandela's release from prison, he made a speech. In that speech, he spoke on his role in the MK. He said, “I admit immediately that I was one of the persons who helped to form Umkhonto we Sizwe, and that I played a prominent role in its affairs until I was arrested in August 1962” (Mcintire). Mandela is being...

Words: 375 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...minority's economical, political and cultural supremacy. There came new laws that devided the population into white, black, coloured and Asian groups. the foundation of apartheid was already made when the first European settlers came to South-Africa, and since then the suppressed have been fighting to abolish it. Maybe the most famous opponent of the apartheid regime throughout the years have been Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. He went to college to study law in1938, but already two years later he was expelled because he participated in a student strike. Luckily Mandela got a job at daytime so he could study in the evenings, and in 1942 he received his university degree. Mandela has been politically involved since he was a teenager, nad already as a twentysix year old he started his political career in the African National congress - ANC (Black people established the African National Congress in 1912 to fight against apartheid and for civil disobedience). Nelson early became one of the most important leaders in the party because ofhis strong opposition against aparheid. Mandela was jailed for the first time in 1952 for having arrranged a peaceful civil rights campaign. This demonstration did no change any of the apartheid laws, but the work wasnt useless. When some got arrested, others came to take the arresteds place. the number of members in ANC rose from 10000 to 100000. The racial...

Words: 904 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...FULL NAME: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela OCCUPATION: Civil Rights Activist, World Leader, Writer BIRTH DATE: July 18, 1918 DEATH DATE: December 05, 2013 EDUCATION: Clarkebury Boarding Institute, Wesleyan College, University College of Fort Hare, University of London, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg PLACE OF BIRTH: Mveso, Transkei, South Africa PLACE OF DEATH: Johannesburg, South Africa Also known as: Nelson Mandela NICKNAME: Madiba ORIGINALLY: Rolihlahla Mandela NICKNAME: Black Pimpernel Nelson Mandela was married three times to wives: Evelyn Ntoko Mase, Nomazmo Winifred Madikizela and his present wife Graca Machel. He got his English name from his teacher. In the 23 years since Nelson Mandela walked from his notorious Robben Island prison cell, leaving behind the rotting corpse of South Africa’s system of racial and economic oppression known as apartheid. A Black South African, for example, could be beaten for not looking away, in order to avoid looking directly into the face of a White person. This system of racial segregation was enforced through legislation by the National Party (NP). Apartheid as an official policy was introduced following the general election of 1948. Apartheid policy was maintained by a range of laws that included the prohibition of inter-racial sex or marriage.  People in South Africa were segregated into categories of white, black, Coloured, Indian (or Asian). In 1958 Blacks were deprived of their citizenship. There were...

Words: 621 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...Jonathan Logan Psych 100 Prof. Hill 6 May. 2014 Nelson Mandela I was really excited when I heard there was going to be a talk about Nelson Mandela and Amy Bhiel story because I remember during my freshman year at Whittier I attended the same talk but I forgot some of the things that I learned the first time. This talk was interesting because it provided a different look into the complicated situations that occurred during Nelson Mandela’s leadership in South Africa. However, we learned about Amy Bhiel who was an idealistic Stanford graduate and an antiapartheid activist who was in support of the black Africans during the apartheid era in South Africa. Then one day in South Africa, Amy was driving some of her young black colleagues back home when her car was attacked and she was stabbed. However, this event was ironic because the men that killed her thought that she was against them but in fact she was in complete support of the antiapartheid movement. We learned that the apartheid movement was caused by extreme tensions between the white Africans and Black Africans in South Africa but Nelson Mandela emerged as a revolutionary leader to break the apartheid movement. Through his ways of leading and his projection of tolerance, Nelson Mandela helped South Africa to eventually come together in favor of breaking the apartheid. Also, the death of Amy Bhiel allowed for a foundation to be created in honor of her sacrifice. Overall, I am glad that I attended this talk because...

Words: 268 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Nelson Mandela

...Nelson Mandela originally born Rolihlahla was born on July 18, 1918 in a small village of Myezo to a chief named Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa. He was exposed to a family of pride from the moment he was born. He was the first person in his family to attend a school and was given the name Nelson while attending. His father died when he was nine years old, putting him under the guardianship of Jongintaba. He attended a Wesleyan School and College and completed his Junior Certificate in only 2 years rather than 3. He then continued his education at the college in Fort Beaufort called Fort Hare University studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree. Nelson became close friends with two men while attending this school both becoming great influences in his life. One was Oliver Tambo and the other was Kaiser ‘K.D’ Matanzima which was up next for the Transkei throne. Due to being involved with the student representative council and their boycott against university policies, Mandela didn’t complete his Bachelor of Arts degree and was later ordered to leave the college. This is thought to be the first outward representation of Mandela’s political activism. Mandela ran away to Johannesburg after refusing an arranged marriage proposal. He found work there as a guard at a mine, but was dismissed because they saw him as a royal runaway. He moved on to study law at the University of Witwatersrand where he got his degree. Mandela met three influential people while attending The University of Witwatersrand...

Words: 640 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...other amateurs that cannot fit the description. Nothing in life is free or comes without working hard to make something happen. In order to be courageous, a person should have bravery, perseverance, and honesty Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, did not choose to take an easy walk to freedom. Mandela is respected throughout the word for his integrity, courage, and dignity to be able to help his people in South Africa. . Nelson Mandela is well renowned in his country as a hero for his courage to stand for what he believed in and endured years in prison to help his country towards freedom. Nothing in life that is worth having is easy. Nelson Mandela accepted the challenge for freedom which was worth having and went for the greater good of his people. John f. Kennedy, former president of the United States who also fought about equality wrote about the profiles of courage. He stated that “ A man does what he must—in spite of personal consequences, in spite of the obstacles and dangers and pressures—and that is the basis of all human morality” (225). A man of courage does whatever he can to make a difference or to fight for what they believe in despite the harsh consequences that are to come. BBC Commentator Brian Walden stated that Nelson Mandela is "perhaps the most generally admired figure of our age and falls short of the giants of the past" (Brink). There are many big names in our history that has displayed courage in many places....

Words: 1670 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

... Introduction………………………………………………………………………..2 Chaos and Dissension in South Africa…………………………………………...3 Mandela – The Charismatic Leader……………………………………………….5 Iconic Image of Integrity and Perseverance………...…………………….………6 Uniting the African National Congress……………..………………………....….9 Mandela Takes Reconciliatory Action…………….………………………….….11 Mandela’s Unique Advantage ……………………..……………………….……13 Conclusion……………………………….…………..……………………………15 Bibliography……………………………….…………..………………………….16 Introduction The iconic figure of Nelson Mandela stands today as a perpetual symbol of perseverance in the long battle to dismantle apartheid. It was a battle for which he was “prepared to die for,” a struggle against not only white domination but also black domination.[1] However, as the apartheid era drew to a close, Mandela’s crusade for a democratic “rainbow nation”[2] looked despairingly unattainable as South Africa came perilously close to descending into utter chaos. Nevertheless, Mandela, long time anti-apartheid activist and leader in the African National Congress (ANC), continued the struggle for his dream of a multicultural nation. Some have expressed the opinion that though the African National Congress was without a doubt instrumental in the peaceful and democratic revolution ending apartheid, Mandela himself was merely a figurehead for the ANC in their 1994 election win and in reality it was the many other leading senior...

Words: 4642 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

Nelson Mandela

...Nelson Mandela is a leader in the fight against apartheid for blacks in South Africa and the world. He separated himself by seeking to end discrimination through peaceful means like boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience. For his efforts, he imprisoned for over 27 years, but that did not stop him from working from within prison for the rights of the people he served. Once released from prison, Nelson Mandela became the first democratically president of South Africa to be elected. With his new Presidential powers he abolished apartheid forever in South African. Nelson Mandela whose birth name was Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Mvezo, a village near Mthatha in the Transkei, on July 18, 1918. He has spent his entire life fighting for the rights of black South Africans. He was arrested, tried and incarcerated for his beliefs, principles and for spreading his beliefs around South Africa about human rights. Although he was transferred from prison to prison, he became bigger political figure because he was gaining popularity and the South African government feared there was going to be a social uprising causing havoc. Nelson Mandlea was jailed a political prisoner in South Africa for more than 27 years. His fight and determination to end discrimination, a practice embraced by the government of South Africa did not end which he was incarcerated. Ironically, his decades of incarceration only emboldened the black citizens of South Africa and around the world to join him to in plight...

Words: 1209 - Pages: 5