Nelson Mandela passed away last year. Nelson Mandela was a inspiring revolutionary. He freed the South African people in a nonviolent manner. He was, in my opinion, the bravest, most inspiring peaceful activist. Mr.Mandela said in a speech to the European Parliament “Great anger and violence can never build a nation. We are striving to proceed in a manner and towards a result, which will ensure that all our people, both black and white, emerge as victors.” This shows how he did not only want black people to be in power, but what he wanted was social equality. He earlier once wrote “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness.”
Rolihlahla Mandela (Mandela’s South African name) grew up in a Madiba Clan. His father passed away when he was only twelve years old. Shortly after, he attended primary school, and Miss Mdingane renamed him as Nelson, in effort to give all students Christian names. He finished his Junior Certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute, but then joined Healdtown. At Healdtown, he applied to University College of Fort Hare. When Nelson Mandela arrived at the University College of Fort Hare, he began his Bachelor of Arts degree. But he was expelled for joining a student protest, and therefore did not finish his BA. He completed his BA at the University of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela, grew politically involved, and joined the African National Congress in 1944, by helping form the ANC Youth League. Twenty years later, Nelson Mandela was convicted of sabotage on 11 June 1964. He was sentenced to life imprisonment the day after. Nelson Mandela was either going to be sentenced to death or life prison. He said this at his trial “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” One of his other quotes showing how much he needed to do what he did “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” I believe that quote, shows how strong Nelson Mandela was and how he believed that there was no other choice, for himself.
Nelson Mandela arrived on Robbin Island and stayed there for eighteen years until he was transfered to Pollsmoor Prison. On 12 August 1988 Nelson Mandela was taken to Tygerberg Hospital where Tubercolosis was diagnosed. Then in 1988 he finally got out of prison. It took Nelson Mandela 27 years to get out of prison. He spent 18 years confined in a small cell with a bucket for a toilet, and no bed. Nelson Mandela was allowed one visitor every year for thirty minutes. He could write and recieve one letter every six months. In one of the letters he wrote, he said “My dearest Winnie,
Your beautiful photo still stands about two feet above my left shoulder as I write this note. I dust it carefully every morning, for to do so gives me the pleasant feeling that I’m caressing you as in the old days. I even touch your nose with mine to recapture the electric current that used to flush through my blood whenever I did so. Nolitha stands on the table directly opposite me. How can my spirits ever be down when I enjoy the fond attentions of such wonderful ladies?”
After Nelson Mandela got out of prison he said this “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” That quote shows how he did not feel like his time in prison was wasted, he was basically leaving all of the hatred behind, and letting himself be the best man he could be, without being perfect. He once said “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” That quote really shows how Nelson Mandela was not full of himself, in any way.
Nelson Mandela was a true hero, he saved and freed the South African people from the caucasians. Nelson Mandela was a just, fair man, he helped and he hurt like all humans. But, unlike all humans he kept on trying no matter what. So, I will end this article with his quote, “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
Acknowledgments: http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography, The Long Walk article by Richard Stengel,http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/05/nelson-mandela-s- most-inspiring-quotes.html www.pbs.org www.nelsonmandela.org, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/22390-during-my-lifetime-i-have-dedicated-myself-to-this-struggle
http://historiansatbristol.blogs.ilrt.org/archives/tag/nelson-mandela
