Nelson Mandela
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Nelson Mandela was one of the most famous and important leaders of all of South Africa's history. Mandela was a strong leader who fought against the unequal government and the system they ran which was called Apartheid. Apartheid separated colored peopled from whites all over South Africa. Nelson Mandela spent many of his years in prison for fighting against the government. Mandela fought through all of the harshness and eventually prevailed. Here is a little biography about him.
The Young Mandela
Rolihalahla Mandela (later on in his life named Nelson by a school teacher) was born on July 18, 1918 in the Transkei which was a part of South Africa. Nelson's father was the chief of the Tembu people, but unfortunately, he died when Mandela was 9. After his father died, Nelson Mandela was watched over by the acting chief of the Tembu people.
Nelson Mandela attended a mission school and later on attended a university. Nelson enjoyed school and studied law so that he could become a lawyer in his life. However, he left the college and returned home because of student protests. Nelson did not want an arranged marriage, but his family had already decided a wife for him so he ran away from his home. Nelson continued his studies in laws and became a lawyer.
When Mandela was growing up the white people had more power than the colored people. The colored people could not vote, own land, and had no other human rights. So, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress, or the ANC, and fought against racial injustice. In 1948, when Mandela was 30 years old, the South African Government passed a new law called apartheid that kept colored and white people apart.
The Fight Against Apartheid
Nelson Mandela decided that since white law firms would not allow colored clients, he decided to set up the first black law firm in South Africa with his good friend Oliver Tambo. Mandela also continued his fight against inequality by leading the youth in the ANC. Mandela spoke out against the government even though it was very dangerous. In 1956, Nelson was arrested for treason. He had a trial that lasted for five years until he was set free in 1961. The ANC was finally shut down, so after his five year trial, Mandela decide to set up a secret army known as the "Spear of the Nation". He was hunted down by the police so Mnadela had to wear disguises to hide from them. However, Mandela still continued to fight against the government.
The government refused to change and Nelson Mandela got arrested again, but for sabotage. Mandela was given the sentence of life in prison. Mandela went to the prison on Robben Island. He spent 18 years in the harsh prison on Robben Island. Mandela had to do hard labor. Mandela got one visitor every 6 months. Mandela actually wrote his biography "A Long Walk to Freedom" in jail on Robben Island. Every time a visitor came to see him, Nelson would give them a part of his biography. Nelson Mandela eventually left the prison on Robben Island to move to another prison. Many people and places around the world heard about what was happening in South Africa and they cried to the government to stop this and to free Nelson Mandela. In 1990, the new South African president, FW de Klerk, freed Nelson Mandela and they agreed that there should be no more fighting. Mandela wanted the people to work together in peace.
President Mandela
Nelson Mandela became the leader of the ANC in 1991. Three years later, South Africa held elections and the black people were able to vote. The ANC won the election and Nelson Mandela became the new and first black president. As president, Nelson Mandela still had to bring the country together. One way he did this was through sports. South Africa hosted the Rugby Worlds Cup in 1996. In South Africa, rugby is a sport for mostly whites. So, Mandela wore the rugby team's jersey to show his country and the world that South Africa was united in races.
Mandela traveled all over the world as a world statesman. He won many great awards. Nelson and the man who set him free from prison, FW de Klerk, shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He also got his book, "A Long Walk to Freedom" published. Mandela gave up politics in 2004 to spent time with his family. He died on December 5, 2013. Nelson Mandela is one of the most inspiring people ever in history for all people today.
Citations:
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/famouspeople/nelson_mandela/
****Listen to part of Nelson Mandela's speech after he was elected President of South Africa.
The Young Mandela
Rolihalahla Mandela (later on in his life named Nelson by a school teacher) was born on July 18, 1918 in the Transkei which was a part of South Africa. Nelson's father was the chief of the Tembu people, but unfortunately, he died when Mandela was 9. After his father died, Nelson Mandela was watched over by the acting chief of the Tembu people.
Nelson Mandela attended a mission school and later on attended a university. Nelson enjoyed school and studied law so that he could become a lawyer in his life. However, he left the college and returned home because of student protests. Nelson did not want an arranged marriage, but his family had already decided a wife for him so he ran away from his home. Nelson continued his studies in laws and became a lawyer.
When Mandela was growing up the white people had more power than the colored people. The colored people could not vote, own land, and had no other human rights. So, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress, or the ANC, and fought against racial injustice. In 1948, when Mandela was 30 years old, the South African Government passed a new law called apartheid that kept colored and white people apart.
The Fight Against Apartheid
Nelson Mandela decided that since white law firms would not allow colored clients, he decided to set up the first black law firm in South Africa with his good friend Oliver Tambo. Mandela also continued his fight against inequality by leading the youth in the ANC. Mandela spoke out against the government even though it was very dangerous. In 1956, Nelson was arrested for treason. He had a trial that lasted for five years until he was set free in 1961. The ANC was finally shut down, so after his five year trial, Mandela decide to set up a secret army known as the "Spear of the Nation". He was hunted down by the police so Mnadela had to wear disguises to hide from them. However, Mandela still continued to fight against the government.
The government refused to change and Nelson Mandela got arrested again, but for sabotage. Mandela was given the sentence of life in prison. Mandela went to the prison on Robben Island. He spent 18 years in the harsh prison on Robben Island. Mandela had to do hard labor. Mandela got one visitor every 6 months. Mandela actually wrote his biography "A Long Walk to Freedom" in jail on Robben Island. Every time a visitor came to see him, Nelson would give them a part of his biography. Nelson Mandela eventually left the prison on Robben Island to move to another prison. Many people and places around the world heard about what was happening in South Africa and they cried to the government to stop this and to free Nelson Mandela. In 1990, the new South African president, FW de Klerk, freed Nelson Mandela and they agreed that there should be no more fighting. Mandela wanted the people to work together in peace.
President Mandela
Nelson Mandela became the leader of the ANC in 1991. Three years later, South Africa held elections and the black people were able to vote. The ANC won the election and Nelson Mandela became the new and first black president. As president, Nelson Mandela still had to bring the country together. One way he did this was through sports. South Africa hosted the Rugby Worlds Cup in 1996. In South Africa, rugby is a sport for mostly whites. So, Mandela wore the rugby team's jersey to show his country and the world that South Africa was united in races.
Mandela traveled all over the world as a world statesman. He won many great awards. Nelson and the man who set him free from prison, FW de Klerk, shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He also got his book, "A Long Walk to Freedom" published. Mandela gave up politics in 2004 to spent time with his family. He died on December 5, 2013. Nelson Mandela is one of the most inspiring people ever in history for all people today.
Citations:
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/famouspeople/nelson_mandela/
****Listen to part of Nelson Mandela's speech after he was elected President of South Africa.