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The Role of Nelson Mandela in Ending Apartheid in South Africa

Decent Essays

Nelson Mandela’s role in bringing Apartheid to an end was very important, however, there were many other factors that contributed to the ending of Apartheid.

The African National Congress, also known as the ANC, was a major factor in ending Apartheid. Even when the ANC became illegal in South Africa it moved to continue its work against Apartheid. In 1940 Dr. A. B. Xuma became president of the ANC; he rescued a struggling organisation. In 1944 he reorganised it, out its finances onto a secure footing and attracted some able, young, new members who formed the ANC’s Youth League. These new members consisted of of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo who all greatly helped bring …show more content…

In 1993 he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela even though he was white. Walter Sisulu was the leader of the ANC. He was imprisoned for life in 1964. He was freed in 1989 and became the ANC deputy president in 1991. Oliver Tambo served as president of the ANC from 1960 to 1991. He helped build international opposition to Apartheid. Steve Biko was a leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in the 1970s. As a student he believed white-dominated political groups could never win against Apartheid. He contributed to bringing Apartheid to an end by making young black people believe they were important.

Mass protests also helped bring Apartheid to an end; the examples are the Sharpville massacre (in 1960) and the Soweto (in 1978). Sharpville was a very important turning point in the fight against Apartheid. In 1960 the PAC organised a protest against the pass laws at Sharpville. Some 5000 unarmed protesters gathered. Stone throwing led to shooting. At the end of the day 69 Africans were dead and 178 wounded. Obviously this massacre caused devastation, upset and anger. The ANC called for a national day of mourning. The ANC and PAC were banned by the government, Mandela was imprisoned along with 2000 other anti-apartheid activists and Oliver Tambo fled abroad to set up ANC offices in safety. Soweto was also important because of the worldwide press coverage it

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