Essay on Nelson Mandela: 10 Lines, Inspirational Short, Long Essays And Fascinating Facts

Every year Nelson Mandela International Day is observed on July 18 to honour the life of Nelson Mandela. This day is commemorated with the aim to remind people of the values and principles of Mandela’s life. Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid revolutionary and the first democratically elected president of South Africa. His contribution and devotion to the cause of freedom from apartheid is etched in history. Read the article to get 10 lines, short and long essays and facts on Nelson Mandela. 

In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day to ‘’recognize Mandela’s values, his dedication to humanity, protection of human rights, promotion of social justice, promotion of peace and contribution to struggle for democracy’’. 

Also Check: Know All About Nelson Mandela in English for School Students

Nelson Mandela International Day 2024: Theme 

This year the Nelson Mandela International Day will be observed under the theme of ‘It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality’. 

10 Lines on Nelson Mandela 

1. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 was born in a small village, Mvezo, situated on the bank of river Mbashe in South Africa. 

2. His name was Rolihlahla Mandela. 

3. He was born into the Madiba clan.

4. When he was in primary school, his teacher gave him the name Nelson as it was the norm to give Christian names to all children. 

5. Mandela became involved in politics in his 20s and joined the African National Congress. 

6. Mandela devoted his life to fight against the apartheid system of racial segregation and discrimination against black people.

7. For his defiance, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964.

8. While Mandela was imprisoned on the Robben island, the support for him grew and people condemned apartheid. 

9. In 1990 he was released from prison and became the first black president of South Africa in 1994. 

10. Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to the cause of humanity and championed justice and equality.

Short Essay on Nelson Mandela in 150-200 words 

Born in 1918 in South Africa, Nelson Mandela devoted his life to fight against apartheid. Apartheid was the system of racial segregation and discrimination against the non-white people. Mandela was born into a tribal royal family. He studied law at the University of Witwatersrand. 

He became a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement. For his relentless struggle against apartheid, Mandela was awarded with imprisonment for 27 years. During his imprisonment, the support for him grew among the black people and other nations started to condemn the practice of discrimination. 

In 1990 Mandela was released from prison. He became the nation’s first democratically elected and black president in 1994. During his presidency, he introduced measures to improve the life conditions of black people. He promoted the values of justice and equality. Mandela emphasised on unity and forgiveness. Under his leadership, a democratic constitution was adopted in 1996. 

His presidency focused on efforts to unite a divided nation. Mandela spent his life advocating for social justice and human rights. His work gained him extraordinary love and respect from not just his countrymen but from other communities as well. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1993. He died in 2013. 

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Long Essay on Nelson Mandela in 300-500 words 

Nelson Mandela, or Madiba, as he was called by his followers, was a prominent figure in the apartheid movement in South Africa. His life was spent in fighting for equality and freedom for the black people. Even today he is considered to be a global icon for peace and justice. Mandela was born in 1918 in a village in South Africa. He was the son of a tribal chieftain. 

During that time the nation was trapped in the chains of apartheid, or racial segregation. The system of apartheid called for discrimination against the black community. This meant that the non-white people were required to live in areas separate from the white people. The black people were supposed to use separate public facilities. 

Growing up, Mandela witnessed how deeply the injustice was entrenched in the society and in people’s minds. He gradually became aware of the discriminatory policies of the government. He studied law and later joined the African National Congress (ANC). As a member of this organisation, Mandela continued to oppose the policies of those in power. 

One such policy was the pass laws, under which the non-white people were mandated to carry documents to be present in the places that the government had reserved for the white people. It is worth noting that Mandela championed non-violent means of resistance. His activism soon caught the attention of the government and he was banned/arrested several times. 

The banning of the ANC and the suppression of peaceful protests forced Mandela to give up non-violence and turn to armed struggle. He even trained in guerilla warfare. In 1963, Mandela and others were tried in the Rivonia trial. This trial was called the trial that changed South Africa. Mandela gave a three hour long speech standing in the dock. His speech ‘Why I am prepared to die’ became one of the most famous speeches in history. 

Mandela spent an arduous time of 27 years in imprisonment. Despite living in harsh conditions, he continued to emerge as a symbol of peace and hope. His imprisonment was condemned by people. He was finally released in 1990. His release brought the hope for the end of apartheid and the beginning of equal rights for all. 

Due to his steadfast commitment, the first democratic election was held in 1994 and Mandela became South Africa’s first black president. During his presidency, he focused on uniting the divided nation. He established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which undertook the task of investigating the cases of human rights violations during apartheid. 

Mandela is recognised globally as an icon of peace and reconciliation. His contribution to humanity, protection of human rights and equality for all groups is celebrated on his birthday as Nelson Mandela International Day. Throughout his life, Mandela lived by the values of forgiveness and compassion. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. 

The beacon of social justice passed away in 2013. Mandela’s life continues to inspire people to fight for equality, justice, peace, freedom and change. 

Interesting Facts About Nelson Mandela

You can use these facts about Nelson Mandela to make your essay more inspiring and informative. 

1. The meaning of Rolihlahla is ‘troublemaker’ or ‘pulling the branch of a tree’. 

2. Throughout his life, Mandela earned several nicknames. The most famous ones are ‘Madiba’ and ‘Black Pimpernel’. 

3. Along with his colleague from ANC, Mandela established the first black law firm of South Africa to defend those affected by apartheid legislation. 

4. Mandela was one of the founders of the military wing of the ANC. It was known as ‘Spear of the Nation’. 

5. In the Rivonia trial, he was tried for sabotage and conspiracy. In his speech, he famously said, ‘’During my lifetime I have dedicated my life 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.’’

6. He shared the Nobel Peace Prize with South African president F.W. de Klerk. 

7. Nelson Mandela had three marriages. His first wife was Evelyn Mase, second was Winnie Madikizela and third was Graca Machel. 

8. The Nelson Mandela Foundation was established in 1999. 

9. Mandela founded the 4664 foundation to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

10. Nelson Mandela International Day was first celebrated on July 18, 2009. 

On this Nelson Mandela International Day, take a pledge to fight for peace and justice!

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