Nelson Mandela once said, “There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” His life is a prime example of how passionately he believes these words. Even though he had to undergo many hardships, such as spending twenty-seven years in prison and battling tuberculosis, he never stopped striving to make a large impact on not only South Africa, but the world as well (Schoemaker). Nelson Mandela is a major worldwide influence due to his key role in the transformation of South Africa from apartheid to democracy, the numerous charities he established and supported, and his lifelong dedication to ending racial segregation permanently in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was …show more content…
They enforced segregation in things such as schools, hospitals, shops, and buses; with the blacks always having the worst quality of resources. Even the laws were different depending on skin color. If a black man was found raping a white woman, he would be sentenced life imprisonment, while a white man found raping a black woman would receive a small fine (Gilbert). Mandela fought against these injustices throughout his life and ended up with a life sentence in prison. Although Mandela’s jail sentence had a negative effect on the people of South Africa, it caused the rest of the world to begin taking notice. International businesses began boycotting South Africa in the 1980’s and young whites began voicing their opposition to the apartheid across the world. As a result, the National Party began secret negotiations with Mandela while he was in prison, and they began to cut back on segregation and lift the ban on the ANC. When Mandela was released from prison in 1990, he continued on with his fight to end segregation (Schoemaker). Mandela’s main goal was to create a “Rainbow Nation,” in which everyone, no matter their skin color, was free and had equal rights (Polgreen). “His insistence on forgiveness over vengeance made him a potent symbol of the struggle to end this country’s brutally codified system of racial domination, and the power of peaceful resolution in even the most intractable conflicts,” according to Lydia Polgreen.
Nelson Mandela was known as a world leader for his role in fighting apartheid and being the first multi-racial president of South Africa. His presidency created a significant change in the perception and building of a multiracial society in South Africa and around the world. Nelson Mandela was also known to be a leader of a civil rights organization known as the African National Congress. The purpose of the African National Congress was to demolish racial segregation and discrimination. The two most significant social changes made by Nelson Mandela was his uniting of a fiercely divided country and his creation of a truly democratic society in South Africa.
“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
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
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.
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
Nelson Mandela was a great leader of South Africa. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in South Africa on July 18, 1918. He was an anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist, who was the first black and democratically elected President. Before Mandela was elected president, South Africa was a country with a white supremacist government, ruled by apartheid. There were racial tensions between whites and blacks, both races hated each other. Blacks were uneducated and most of them were poor and had little food. Nelson Mandela had a positive impact towards South Africa because he ended apartheid, unified South Africa and helped those less
The long-term impact that Mandela made was that he had ended apartheid in South Africa in 1991, which meant that the non-whites could live with equal rights and freedoms with happiness. He had many other great qualities such as encouraging his followers to nonviolent acts of protest. He has impacted the whole world in terms of discrimination and racism. Due to Mandela a lot of other people were inspired to do great things and end acts of racism around the world. His sphere of influence was not just South Africa or Africa because he had become so famous he started to influence many people. And he was not the kind to give up because even after spending 27 years of prison he did not lose hope, he stood in the elections, became president and fulfilled his goal of ending apartheid.
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
Nelson Mandela. A man who has fought a long fight for a better South Africa. His accomplish-ments are terrific, but this man did not do this alone. He was the voice of the people who have had enough and he began a chain reaction of seeking justice. In his speech, at the National Congress, he emphasizes that the people of South Africa must keep protecting and living in a renewed South Africa. A single man can’t end apartheid alone - it requires the people.
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.”
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
Mandela lived a long life and made so many differences for the people of today in
Nelson Mandela devoted his life advocating for human rights. He served 27 years in prison but thrived following his release. Mandela became the first black president of South Africa and proceeded to inspire thousands with his speeches. During this time South Africa faced the challenges of overcoming the legacy of the Apartheid. Inequality, racism, and poverty would have to end in order for the country to prevail. He made people realize, “Dealing with these challenges also means accepting the facts of our history” (Mandela 3). Mandela faced the problems within his society head-on. In addition to this, he was willing to accept the country's flaws and the country was far from reaching its fullest potential. He was able to help his country gain a safe water
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