Nelson Mandela The life story of Nelson Mandela has long become a legend, a story that transcends race, borders, culture, or language. He is one of the greatest leaders to ever step foot on this Earth. He was willing to give up his own personal freedoms for the good of his people. Still, his decisions at major points in his lifetime hold lessons for individuals who are inspired of becoming good leaders. Many leaders are inspired by the actions and decision-makings abilities of Mandela. He kept the interest of others before his own. This is what made Nelson Mandela a great leader, and worthy of winning a Nobel Prize. From the decisions he made, and his life experiences while fighting for human rights, one can conclude that Mandela is truly …show more content…
He encouraged them to come together and fight again any individual who wanted to destroy the freedom that Hani had fought for. Mandela encouraged people to remain peaceful but ready to fight for their right. He did not want violence to erupt among his followers that would have led to a lot of destruction. This should the power of leadership that Mandela had. He was able to communicate to people and make them do what he want. His decisions were wise and everyone abided by them. His decisions were focused on the interest of all citizens. He sort for freedom through bringing people together. From this decision, one can conclude that Mandela was wise and thought about the nation’s future. The decisions were based on the good of South African people. These leadership qualities show his interest in fighting for human rights and future peaceful coexistence. Refusing to stand for presidency for a second term perceives Mandela as an outstanding representative of human potential for good (Nelson 44). When was elected for the first term, nelson Mandela concluded would not run for presidency for a second time, though the constitution permitted people to run for two consecutive terms. This gesture was remarkable, especially in a continent where political leaders maximize on the opportunity of becoming leaders. This showed that he was considerate to other people’s good through allowing others to practice their leadership potentials. He was a great
He was ready to flip the horrible page of his life and was prepared to unite the people of Africa. “But the day we had been fighting for, the day we were working for has arrived. Let us forget the past. Let us hold hands” Nelson Mandela. His words of encouragement and his pure hart made him the next great president of South Africa.
The story depicted by the movie Invictus is just a glimpse at the many hearts that he touched through his transformational leadership approach proved to be a success in the accomplishment of his end goal of equal diversity amongst the citizens of South Africa. Mandela experienced a great amount of satisfaction from his role in changing the government’s environment and finding peace for
From this we observe that Mandela coordinated and led people to fight apartheid. As it can be concluded from the preceding information, Martin Luther King's actions and Nelson Mandela's actions justify their similarity.
Nelson Mandela was an inspiring,peaceful protester that went to jail for is work of trying to ban the racial apartheid in South Africa.Furthermore, evidence that would back up my claim is “I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed,but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did.”The statement show he wants freedom not for himself but all Africans living in South Africa this means he isn't selfish but selfless and thinks not for himself but for the greater good of others.Furthermore evidence that backs up my claim would be “When I walked out of prison,that was my mission to liberate oppressed and the oppressor both.”The evidence shows Mandela forgave his oppressor and holds no grudge against them, but his true goal was to end the
I have always thought that Nelson Mandela has been one of the most important people in history. I find it very fascinating that one man could end the Apartheid and that is why I want to find out more about this. South Africa is a country with a past of enforced racism and separation of its multi-racial community. The White Europeans invaded South Africa and started a political system known as 'Apartheid' (meaning 'apartness'). This system severely restricted the rights and lifestyle of the non-White inhabitants of the country forcing them to live separately from the White Europeans. I have chosen to investigate how the Apartheid affected people’s lives, and also how and why the Apartheid system rose and fell in South Africa.
Specific Purpose: To inform my communication studies 192 with a general understanding of the life and outstanding impact that Nelson Mandela has left on the world.
Mandela once told the court he hoped to live in a free society and was willing to die for it. The author of “Death of an Icon Mandela” quotes Nelson Mandela in court saying “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities… it is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realized. But my lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” (Polgreen). This proves that Mandela was very selfless because he always thought of others before himself. He wanted to free those who were practically prisoners in their own land and he put his own life on the line while fighting for them. Mandela showed how altruistic he was in many ways. He had taken his 27-year prison experience and made it his goal to protest for the freedom of his country. The author states, “Mandela said he regarded his prison experience as a major factor in his ability to lead a divided nation forward.” (Polgreen). This shows that Mandela is incredibly unselfish because he could have easily left prison and given up to let the rest of South Africa deal with their own problems, but instead he continued to rebel. Nelson Mandela was such an altruistic man and it is just one of his many traits that make him a
In this speech Nelson also uses a lot of logic and statement, otherwise known as logos, to explain much of his thinking. Although at times Mandela literally convicts himself, he gives reasoning toward what lead him to those decisions. He states that “fifty years of non-violence had brought the African
Imagine being systematically oppressed from the moment you exited the womb. All your civil rights, based on the amount of melanin in your skin. Drinking from the wrong water fountain, could even get you thrown into jail. Coincidently; this was the life, of black South Africans from the moment of Dutch colonization in 1652, to the first true democratic election in 1994. Apartheid, meaning “separateness” in Afrikaans; was legal segregation enforced by The National Party (NP) from 1948 to 1994. It legally imposed preexisting policies of racial discrimination on the Majority of the South African population. The entire basis of the racist policies, was the darker your complexion the less legal rights you had. Presumably this injustice, could have continued much longer if it weren’t for all involved in the fight against the NP, however the man who arguably contributed the most, was Nelson Mandela. He ended an apartheid, with both his philanthropy and political prowess. He united a nation that used to be segregated; which seemed a daunting task at the time, but through the sweat and bloodshed he achieved the impossible. This alone exhibited his heroic characteristics, but to be more precise: both his actions and inactions lead to his success. Furthermore, Mandela was both a strong leader and forgiving at the same-time. Being in the forefront of the abolishment movement, was an extremely risky move during the apartheid. He risked his life for what he believed in, and this personal
The Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, and the Great Pyramids; these are some of the most recognizable cultural icons in the world today. A cultural icon can be a symbol, logo, picture, name, face, person, building or other image that is readily recognized and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group (Wikipedia). Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are examples of individuals who are important cultural icons to many Americans. Another person who is considered a cultural icon is Nelson Mandela; an individual who took a stand against apartheid in South Africa and established great strides toward racial equality in that part of the world. Mandela is considered as cultural icon
He granted dignity and human rights to every South African. He transformed South Africa’s democracy that is now seen to be one of the world’s leading constitutions that hold strong emphasis on human rights, women empowerment, education for children and freedom for all. He wasn’t only a good man, but also a great leader who provided the inspirational fuel the entire nation needed. Mandela was an honest man who succeeded to move the country with his great integrity to fair and free elections.
President Mandela played a big role in stopping South Africans’ segregation problem. South Africa several years ago favored white people over the native South Africans. Mandela used rugby and the native children to help unite the country into one. He used the Springboks (the rugby team representing South Africa) to coach younger kids in the slums. Francois, the captain of the team, even said, “I’m glad I don't live here”, when talking about how poor the slum conditions were. They targeted younger children because their success with this population appealed to the public. This was very smart of Mandela because this plan ended up working and all the South Africans who jeered the Springboks initially, then cheered them on at the World Cup. The coaches visited the youth living in the slums teaching them rugby. South Africa ended up being the underdogs yet beating two very talented team and ended up winning. Mandela knew he had to keep all his Africaner employees to help stop the massive racism issue. All the government workers thought they were being fired but he gave them the choice to stay or to leave. Many white people hated Mandela, in fact, when he was released from prison someone said, “It's that terrorist Mandela” to one of his rugby players. I envy Mandela's way of maintaining control. He could've had all the Africaners suffer for what they did to the native Africans. I don't get how someone who suffered so much is able to forgive so quickly, yet some
Nelson Mandela was an exceptional leader, as President he took South Africa to somewhere it had never been. He valued his time as President, because he knew his time was limited; often working days without a break. Each step of the way he took risks for the good of the people. When told he was ‘risking his political capital and his future as a leader’, he replied, “The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.”
Nelson is an individual who fought through many hardships, but was also faced with decisions that affected his future, his family, and his livelihood. As we look at Nelson deeper, we can see many interesting points. He was opened to new ideas and beliefs through his experiences in the schools of Heraldtown and Fort Hare, but knew there was something better. He decided to travel to Johannesburg to find new and greater opportunities. While, in Johannesburg, he believed education would be a key asset. While working for a small firm, he took classes at University of South Africa and eventually Wits University. Here is where his mind and social life flourished. He interacted with great minds and influential political individuals. He talked to many Africans without proper education, who contained more knowledge and better social skills than many Africans with education. But, he still persisted in acquiring his B.A. Wits University brought his life to new extents. He was also talking to Indians, Coloureds, and whites for the first time in his life and Becoming friends with many more prominent African individuals. Nelson soon joined the ANC and became very prominent in the fight for freedom. Nelson was always open to listening to new ideas, but when his was just starting his fight. He believed that just Africans
“To deny people their right to human rights is to challenge their very humanity. To impose on them a wretched life of hunger and deprivation is to dehumanize them. But such has been the terrible fate of all black persons in our country under the system of apartheid (“In Nelson Mandela’s own words”). Nelson Mandela was a moral compass symbolizing the struggle against racial oppression. Nelson Mandela emerged from prison after twenty-seven years to lead his country to justice. For twenty-seven years he sat in a cell because he believed in a country without apartheid, a country with freedom and human rights. He fought for a country where all people were equal, treated with respect and given equal opportunity. Nelson Mandela looms large in the