Nelson Mandela is one of the most important individuals of the 20th century and he is often associated with the fight for justice and equality. His life story is characterised by persistent dedication, selflessness, and extraordinary accomplishments> Nelson Mandela's legacy continues to inspire millions of people worldwide. Here is a brief overview of the life and contributions of Nelson Mandela.
Early Life of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was born in the Eastern Cape on 18 July 1918. His parents were Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela and Nonqaphi Nosekeni. Nelson’s birth name was Rolihlahla. When Nelson reached 12 years of age in 1930, his father passed away, and then he became a ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni.
Education
- Early Education: Miss Mdingane, Mandela's teacher in Qunu, gave him the name "Nelson" when he started school there. Since schools frequently gave pupils "Christian" names, this practice was widespread.
- Secondary Education: After enrolling in Clarkebury Boarding Institute, Mandela finished his Junior Certificate there. After that, he completed his matriculation at the respectable Wesleyan secondary school Healdtown, where he obtained his high school diploma.
- University and Political Activism: At the University College of Fort Hare, Mandela enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts programme. However, he was expelled after taking part in a student protest, which ended his academic career.
- Forced Marriage or Runaway? Mandela was under pressure to marry or go back to Fort Hare after arriving home. In 1941, he and his cousin escaped to Johannesburg, defying these prohibitions.
- Work and Further Education: Mandela carried on with his quest for knowledge while working in Johannesburg. He was employed as a mining security officer before using his connections to obtain legal possibilities. He did his articles (legal apprenticeship) through a firm of attorneys and concurrently pursued a Bachelor's degree through the University of South Africa (UNISA), a distance learning institution.
- Finalisation: In 1943, Mandela eventually made his way back to Fort Hare for his bachelor's degree graduation ceremony.
University
- University of the Witwatersrand: Mandela enrolled at the University of the Witwatersrand's Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program. He did, however, acknowledge that he was not the best student and left the institution in 1952 without earning a degree.
- University of London: After being imprisoned in 1962, Mandela enrolled in the University of London programme to finish his legal studies. However, he was unable to finish this degree as well because of his imprisonment.
- University of South Africa (UNISA): In 1989, as his prison term was coming to a close, Mandela was able to complete his LLB at the University of South Africa (UNISA), a distance learning facility.
Entry into Politics
- Early Involvement (1942): Although Mandela began to become more interested in politics in 1942, he did not formally join the fight against apartheid until 1944.
- The Youth League and the ANC in 1944: There was a significant turning point this year. Mandela was instrumental in the creation of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in addition to joining the African National Congress (ANC), a significant group combating racial segregation.
- Personal Life and Political Development (1944–1949): Mandela's political career kept going up despite his marriage to Evelyn Mase in 1944 and eventual divorce in 1958. He progressed in the ANCYL's ranks, and his position in the group became more significant. The ANCYL's successful campaign to force the ANC to embrace the Programme of Action, a more radical and popular strategy, marked the culmination of this phase in 1949.
The Treason Trial
- Arrest and the Trial: In December 1956, a nationwide police raid resulted in Mandela's arrest, along with 155 others. This event led to the infamous Treason Trial, a lengthy legal battle targeting those accused of plotting to overthrow the government. The diversity of the accused, including men and women of various races, highlighted the widespread opposition to apartheid.
- A Marathon Trial: The Treason Trial became a marathon legal battle, dragging on for years. Despite facing such a serious charge, Mandela and his fellow defendants were ultimately acquitted in March 1961.
What Happened During State of Emergency?
- Sharpeville and the Pass Laws: This day saw police open fire on a peaceful protest against the pass laws, which severely restricted the movement of black South Africans. The resulting deaths of 69 unarmed people sent shockwaves through the nation.
- State of Emergency and Banned Organisations: In response to the growing unrest, the government declared a state of emergency, a move highlighting the severity of the situation. It further tightened its grip by banning both the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), the two key organisations fighting for racial equality.
- Mandela's Detention: The state of emergency resulted in a wave of detentions, and Mandela, along with his colleagues still on trial for treason, found themselves among the thousands swept up.
Nelson’s Underground Mission
- A New Identity: Shedding his public persona, Mandela adopted the alias "David Motsamayi" to ensure his safety.
- Seeking International Support: Mandela's journey took him across Africa and to England. His primary objective was to garner support for the armed struggle against the apartheid regime.
- Military Training: Recognising the need for a different strategy, Mandela underwent military training in Morocco and Ethiopia.
- Return and Recapture: In July 1962, Mandela returned to South Africa, aiming to brief the ANC president about his accomplishments. However, his efforts were tragically cut short. During a routine police check near Howick in August, he was arrested. This unexpected capture marked a setback for the burgeoning armed resistance movement.
Sentence of 5 Years to Mandela
- Mandela got into trouble in 1962. He snuck out of South Africa without permission and encouraged workers to stop working (go on strike). He was caught and sent to jail in Pretoria for 5 years.
- In 1963, he was moved to a prison island called Robben Island. But he only stayed there a short time before being sent back to Pretoria. A month later, the police found a secret hiding spot used by Mandela's friends and some communists. They arrested several of Mandela's comrades.
What was the Rivonia Trial?
In October 1963, Mandela and 10 others went to court on charges of trying to damage property (sabotage) to fight apartheid. This became known as the Rivonia Trial.
The punishment could have been death, but Mandela gave a powerful speech in court that became very famous. This speech is still remembered today.
Prison Life
While in prison, Mandela faced two heartbreaking losses. His mother passed away in 1968 and his oldest son, Thembi, died in 1969. Sadly, he wasn't allowed to attend either of their funerals.
Journey to Liberation
In 1982, Mandela was moved to a different prison in Cape Town called Pollsmoor Prison, along with some of his friends. He stayed there with them for a while, but later he was kept alone in a cell.
Around this time, an important government official visited Mandela in the hospital. After that, Mandela started talks about a big meeting between the government and the ANC, the group fighting against apartheid.
Release from Prison
In 1988, Mandela got sick with tuberculosis and was sent to the hospital for a few months. After that, he was moved to a house in a prison near Paarl for the last year and a bit of his sentence. Finally, on February 11th, 1990, he was released from prison! This was just a few days after the groups fighting against apartheid (ANC and PAC) were no longer banned. It's important to know that Mandela refused to be released earlier if it meant agreeing to certain conditions.
The Nobel Peace Prize
After his release, Mandela focused on talks to end apartheid completely. He became the President of the ANC in 1991, taking over from his friend Oliver Tambo who was unwell. In 1993, both Mandela and the then-President F.W. de Klerk won the Nobel Peace Prize for their work together. Finally, in 1994, Mandela was able to cast his vote in an election for the very first time!
Presidential Journey
In 1994, on a very important day, Mandela became the first president of South Africa who was chosen in a fair election by everyone! This was a huge change for the country.
Two years later, when he turned 80 years old, Mandela got married again. His wife's name is Graça Machel, and she was his third wife.
Retirement From Presidency
Mandela kept his promise! After serving one term as president, he retired in 1999. He didn't stop working though. He continued to help children through his own foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, which he started in 1995. He even set up two more organisations: the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation.
Legacy of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela passed away at his home in Johannesburg on December 5th, 2013.
READ| List of Nelson Mandela Awards, Books to Read and Inspire
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