Nelson Mandela Research Paper

During the reign of the Apartheid regime Nelson Mandela was born and raised. Nelson Mandela was a South African lawyer and prominent activist. He was also the leader of the African National Congress party and the first black President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He is known for his devotion and struggle against the Apartheid regime.

Former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela achieved an incredible number of achievements during his lifetime. In 1943, Nelson enrolled at Witswaterand, a predominately white university, where he was exposed to people from different background and races. He was exposed to radical, liberal and Africanist thought, as well as discrimination and racism, it was during this time in Nelson’s life that he became interested in politics and also joined the African National Congress (ANC). In 1952, Mr. Mandela along with his partner Oliver Tambo, opened a law firm and began campaigning against apartheid, the system that oppressed the black majority devised by the all-white National Party. As the tension with the apartheid grew, Mr. Mandela went underground after the ANC was outlawed in 1960 following an event at Sharpeville when police shot dead 69 unarmed black protesters. The days of nonviolent resistance were over and the All-African National Action Council was formed with Mandela acting as honorary secretary, this militant organization used sabotage and other tactics to destruct government property as it continued the fight against apartheid. Following a raid of the group’s secret headquarters by the government, Mandela was charged with sabotage and attempting to violently

When most people think of a prominent figure in South Africa one name always comes to mind; Nelson Mandela. Imagine a time in South Africa when, similar to old America, whites held most of the power. Due to the previous conflicts of the European countries in South Africa, there were many Europeans who heavily discriminated against the original African people. This is exactly the type of place Mandela was born into. Born in 1918, his family was part of a common South African clan, where he always enjoyed hearing the elder’s stories. These stories consisted of the black Africans’ struggle against whites during the time of the Boer war (Nelson Mandela Center of Memory).

The relationship that develops between Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar in the movie Invictus suggests how crucial of a role they play as leaders to the people of South Africa. Even though, Pienaar is white and Mandela is black, they both work towards uniting a divided nation despite their differences.

Someone might think a person could not serves years in prison for a lifetime. However, there was a man who served twenty-seven years of his life imprisoned his faith. However, he was not charged with the crime of murder or theft. He was charged with the crime of sabotage. That time, his faith that apartheid was wrong, was unfair, was opposite to the Africans and that his only crime based in the legal system in Africa. Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist and the leader of ANC (African National Congress’s). Because of his sabotage, Mandela served 27 years in prison, and spending many of these years on Robben Island. He experienced many hardships in prison. After he released from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela sustained negotiation and reconciliation for the apartheid. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Nelson Mandela can be considered a hero because he portrayed forgiveness, persistence, and patience.

Nelson Mandela was a hero because he cared about equality and because he sacrificed himself for the greater good. Nelson’s parents had died when he wasn’t all that old. Shortly thereafter he passed high school and started college where he proved to be trouble. This was due to disagreements with management and he decided to leave the college. Afterwards he stole two cows for money to travel for jobs and opportunity. He was later given a whole team of attorneys and a business.

The first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, once said “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do”. Nelson Mandela was a man who lived by his words despite his circumstances. Though Nelson Mandela had many accomplishments, Mandela was greatly influenced through his reading and admiration of other leaders. All great leaders have been influenced by others, and these leaders can impact the world such as Nelson Mandela himself.

The native African culture was important to Nelson Mandela in many ways. One of them being shaping him into the person he was. Nelson Mandela was born into a family that had one of the most important leader of their tribe. Mandela was a close relative to Jongintaba David Dalindyebo, the Thembu’s paramount chief. King Ngubengcuka was Nelson Mandela’s great-great-grandfather that died over 100 years ago. During his time, he ruled all over the Thembu tribe. Since Nelson was so close to leader figures throughout his life, that probably had a huge impact on him and inspired him to become a leader. African culture was protected by Nelson Mandela because of the strong leader he was. He had goals to achieve, and he never stopped until those goals were

“In my country we go to prison first and then become President.” In 1991, Nelson Mandela was elected the president of the African National Congress. After President F.W. de Klerk released him from jail, Mandela continued to negotiate the country’s first non-racial elections for him. It began on December 21, 1991 at the World Trade Centre in Johannesburg. White South Africans were willing to share power but many black South Africans wanted a complete transfer of power as whites had before. These negotiations were tense and violence across South African townships erupted followed by the assassination of ANC and South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani on April 10, 1993. In 1993, Mandela and President de Klerk were awarded the Nobel

“For to be free is not to cast one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same”- Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a positive impact to the world for his work against the south African government. Through his efforts he did end segregation in south Africa.

Mandela was unaware that he had become one of the world's most quoted public figures. But in apartheid- ruled South Africa his words and teachings, as well as other ANC activists - were banned. There were consequences that came with heavy penalties for those who broke them. Even carrying the image of Mandela or being overheard saying his name could result in torture and a prison sentence.

I will end with suggestions on ways that the youth can better be engaged for the development of south Africa.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart that its opposite.” Nelson Mandela found himself in a world filled with diversity, but no tolerance or acceptance. Dedicating his life to the cause, he led a very interesting life. He grew up in the Thembu tribe in South Africa. Growing up, he dreamt of making a difference for his country. Being the first person to have a formal education out of his family, he created a new image for himself. He was an inspiration to people across the world with his brave devotion to leadership, equality, awareness, and diversity. Mandela

There were many events that inspired Mandela to become even more politically involved. One of them was when 70,000 african miners along the reef went on strike. This showed Mandela that there is power within the black population of South Africa and that they really could make a difference. Another was when the Asiatic Land Tenure Act was put into place which made it much harder for colored people to buy land. There was also an event in xxxxxxx where 69 peacefull protesters where shot and killed. At this point, Mandela vowed that he would fight against the oppression of colored people. Mandela also married Evelyn Mase, a South African

Apartheid, the strict division between white and colored people, for South Africans has always been a big issue. The man who stopped difficult ways of life for people and communities in South Africa was also their president, Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a man who put his life on the line to bring people together. He was involved with organizations that would eventually help to end apartheid throughout his life and lead countless amounts of peaceful acts that put an end to this divide. Mandela was even arrested for what he was trying to accomplish. It was difficult, but once he was released from prison, he finished what he and many others had started, he put a stop to apartheid. Nelson Mandela caused for apartheid to be