Who is Nelson Mandela?

Who is Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to the anti-apartheid struggle, democracy and equality. As former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Laureate, he earned widespread respect throughout society.

He was raised in the Xhosa-speaking community of Qunu in south-eastern Johannesburg. While studying English and Xhosa, his interest in African history developed.

Nelson Mandela was born in 1918

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa into a branch of the royal family of Tembu people. His birth name was Rolihlahla (pronounced rol-yo-hla), but he received the English name Nelson from his teacher.

After his father passed away, he became the ward of Thembu regent and paramount chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo. The family lived in huts and subsisted off of local harvests such as maize, sorghum, pumpkin and beans; water came from springs and streams.

As a child, Mandela enjoyed playing with toys made of natural materials and acting out the games boys played - such as male right-of-passage scenarios.

He was baptized into the Methodist Church and completed his schooling at Clarkebury Boarding Institute, Healdtown College (a Wesleyan secondary school of some renown), and finally the University of Fort Hare - which offered education for blacks in South Africa. When he was expelled from Fort Hare for boycotting university policies, he met Oliver Tambo and they became lifelong partners both personally and politically.

Mandela was a founding member of the African National Congress and led an anti-apartheid campaign for over two decades in South Africa. He was arrested and imprisoned multiple times for political offenses before being freed in 1972 on charges of treason.

In 1994 he was elected president of South Africa and became its first democratically elected leader. Serving two terms as president, he became a beloved figure within the country.

His mission was to eradicate apartheid and racial discrimination in South Africa, promote inter-racial reconciliation, and improve the lives of his people. In doing so he earned himself a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and is now widely regarded as an icon for democracy and social justice around the world.

He served as South Africa's leader for 27 years, during which he worked to dismantle apartheid rule and build a more representative democracy. A major political and philanthropic figure, he served as a mentor to many young activists alike. A beloved figure both within South Africa and worldwide, his influence on anti-racism continues to this day.

He was a lawyer

As a lawyer, Mandela honed the art of persuasion and advocacy - skills which enabled him to build the case that transformed his country. Many who follow in his footsteps - from mentors and political leaders to fellow activists - will be amazed to know it was his legal mind behind many of Nelson Mandela's accomplishments.

Mandela began attending law school at the University of the Witwatersrand as a part-time student, graduating in 1989 - one year before his release from prison. Afterward, he defended opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai against treason charges and secured government payouts for families of miners killed by police during a strike at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine north-west of Johannesburg.

Bizos and other lawyers used the courtroom as a platform to champion democracy and human rights during his years in apartheid South Africa. He advocated that courts should be representative of all races, without giving judges a monopoly over criminal justice matters. Furthermore, Bizos helped abolish the death penalty from South Africa.

Bizos' career spanned decades, representing a variety of activists, including former South African President Mandela. After retiring, he served as director of the Legal Resources Centre in Johannesburg and was an expert on civil rights matters; he even testified during an inquiry into the deaths of several dozen protesters killed by police during a strike at Lonmin Marikana platinum mine in 2012.

Bizos was renowned for his soft-spoken manner and dedication to human rights work well into his 80s.

Bizos was born in Greece and fled Greece during World War II, arriving as a refugee in South Africa the same year. He enrolled at Fort Hare University in Pretoria with plans of studying English, anthropology and law.

He was deeply informed by his Greek education, emphasizing democracy and freedom - two principles at the core of anti-apartheid activism. Throughout his life, he worked to ensure equal rights for all, but was particularly dedicated to human rights issues in post-apartheid South Africa.

He was a politician

Mandela played a leading role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1942 and helped form its Youth League, which sought to transform it into an inclusive mass grassroots movement led by African people - breaking away from traditional tactics of polite petitioning which they felt were ineffective and did not reflect the interests of poor Africans in South Africa.

Mandela was an active lawyer in Johannesburg and part of the Anti-Apartheid Movement (A.N.C.). He established a black-owned law firm called "Mandela and Tambo," while also belonging to the Communist Party; however, Mandela was arrested multiple times due to his involvement in anti-apartheid struggles.

In 1956, Mandela and several other members of the A.N.C were arrested on charges of high treason against the government - an event which marked the beginning of his political career and set him on a journey to become a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid campaign.

Mandela remained active in the ANC's fight against apartheid while in prison, and he played an essential role in organizing a national conference on anti-apartheid policy at Pietermaritzburg on 22 March 1961, known as the All-In Africa Conference.

Organised by the All-In African National Action Council and attended by representatives of 145 political, cultural and sports organisations, the conference called on South Africa's government to abolish all forms of apartheid and promote policies of full citizenship, land redistribution, trade union rights and free education for children.

At the conference, Mandela was named honorary secretary of the All-In Africa Council and helped launch a stay-at-home campaign on 29 and 30 May 1961 - coinciding with South Africa's proclamation as a republic. This initiative proved popular, with estimates suggesting more than 500,000 South Africans supported it.

In addition to numerous meetings, Mandela was visited by numerous political figures from within and outside South Africa, underscoring his impact on the anti-apartheid movement and his international standing. These included Dennis Healey - a British MP from Labour Party who joined Mandela on Robben Island to express his support for both ANC policies and anti-apartheid initiatives.

He was a leader

Nelson Mandela was an inspiring leader, possessing many qualities that set him apart from other leaders in Africa and beyond. He was a compassionate figure who dedicated his life to aiding others and fighting injustice. Additionally, Mandela had immense strength of character which enabled him to motivate those around him.

He was a leader who could reach out to other countries and convince them to support the fight against colonialism in South Africa. He persuaded other African states that working against apartheid was essential in order to bring freedom and equality to their respective nations.

On July 18th 1918, Mandela was born in Mvezi, a village located in the Transkei region of south-eastern South Africa. His father Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu people spoke Xhosa and after his father's passing away he was raised by Jongintaba - regent of his tribe - until he reached adulthood.

His childhood was filled with hardship and struggle, yet he never lost hope that one day he could live a happy life. He worked tirelessly towards reaching his objectives, showing great determination to succeed.

He understood that he couldn't succeed on his own and needed assistance from others in order to reach success. He joined forces with Oliver Tambo, a student at Fort Hare University who had an exceptional legal mind, and together they founded Mandela and Tambo Law Firm which offered free legal services to underrepresented Black clients.

In addition to his political activism, he was deeply committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS. He dedicated his life to this cause until his passing in 2013.

Nelson Mandela was an inspiring leader who battled for democracy in South Africa. He championed the rights of Black people and ensured everyone was treated equally in every respect.

He was an inspiring leader, willing to sacrifice his own comforts for the greater good of Black people in South Africa and around the world. Even after being released from prison, he remained dedicated to his goals.

What Nelson Mandela Do

Nelson Mandela, a former South Africa President and Nobel Peace Laureate, dedicated his life to fighting apartheid, promoting democracy, and upholding equality. Additionally, he founded The Elders--an international network of leaders who work together on global challenges.

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, a small village in what is now South Africa and passed away on December 5, 2013 at Johannesburg.

1. He refused to give up on his cause and his country.

Nelson Mandela never wavered in his commitment to his cause or country, even while serving 26 years in prison. He advocated for the rights of black people and worked to put an end to apartheid in South Africa.

In doing so, he contributed to creating a better world for countless others. Even after his passing in 2013, his legacy will endure and inspire South Africans into the future.

Mandela was a visionary who believed social change can only occur when individuals take action to promote it. Through his example, Mandela helped bring about the freedom and democracy he desired for South Africa - leading to its current status as both free and democratic.

He believes he has had a significant effect on people's lives around the globe, especially through his dedication to improving the quality of life for those suffering from HIV/AIDS and poverty.

As president, Mandela relentlessly pursued his goal of creating a peaceful and democratic South Africa. He championed land reform, encouraged economic development, worked to combat poverty and promote health care access for all, while advocating for peace and reconciliation around the world.

2. He understood that while it is important to forgive, history must never forget its troubled past.

Nelson Mandela understood the necessity of forgiveness, yet never forgetting one's dark past. That is why he championed for the Committee for Truth and Reconciliation - an independent government agency which probes crimes committed during apartheid era investigations.

He also believed that forgiveness could help South Africa move forward and heal its divided communities. This message of hope is especially pertinent for those still trying to forgive those who have wronged them, as well as those working towards building peace in our society.

To understand his perspective, one must examine his early life. He was an unimpressive scholar, struggling through classes while becoming increasingly involved in politics.

Unfortunately, he never obtained his degree. Additionally, as leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe - the ANC's armed wing - he traveled to Ethiopia in order to learn how to use firearms.

He spent time in prison, particularly on Robben Island. There he and other activists faced harsh conditions designed to break their resolve; rights were denied based on race and they were made to work long hours at a lime quarry.

3. He was a visionary.

Nelson Mandela's achievements are truly remarkable and should serve as a lesson to us all. He had an inspiring vision for change in South Africa, believing in the value of equal rights and taking action to combat racism and create constitutional democracy.

His perseverance was truly remarkable, as it took 27 years before his vision could come true. During that period, he was held prisoner by the Apartheid government.

Mandela understood that Apartheid could not endure into the future and that if global conditions changed, its system would collapse. So in his prison cell he devised plans to expedite that end.

He remained loyal to his beliefs, even when President Botha offered him freedom in exchange for political concessions. Despite these offers, he continued to support the anti-apartheid cause and refused any offers that did not align with his convictions.

His tireless dedication to the cause inspired many and made the world a better place for all when they fought for equality and freedom. He inspired and united people around the globe, helping them realize their aspiration of having a country without racial inequality.

4. He was humble.

Nelson Mandela was a man of great character, yet his humility made him an inspiring leader. Never taking credit for his successes, Nelson Mandela always expressed gratitude for everything that had been granted him and always kept the focus on gratitude.

He was a man who loved his country and its people, yet always kept an eye on the future. With an unwavering sense of duty, he never shied away from standing up for what he believed in.

Mandela had an acute understanding of how to navigate potentially dire circumstances. He served as a peacemaker during a time when many leaders became too comfortable in their positions of power.

At his time, South Africa was an impoverished nation where blacks often suffered worse treatment than whites. He sought to end apartheid--the discrimination whites endured--by encouraging national reconciliation and reconciliation within the nation.

Mandela had no desire to seek revenge against those who had helped him during his imprisonment, and he was dedicated to creating a better future for all in South Africa. He fully believed in the concept of national reconciliation and became an iconic figure around the world.

He was an inspiration and hero to millions around the world, and his legacy will live on for ever.

5. He was passionate.

What Nelson Mandela Did:

Nelson Mandela was an inspirational individual who worked tirelessly to reach his objectives. Even while in prison, he continued learning and perfecting himself so that he could make a positive impact on the world.

He was dedicated to aiding others and advocating for racial equality and freedom. Driven by compassion for South Africa's oppressed citizens, he made a lasting impact through his deeds.

In his later years, he rose to become a renowned world leader. His example served as an inspiring reminder that we can all work together towards making our world better.

In addition to advocating for the rights of black people, he also prioritized education. He believed that knowledge was one of the most powerful weapons you can use to transform the world.

6. He was determined.

Mandela was determined to achieve success. He refused to give up on himself or his country; he wanted South Africa to become a democratic, free and fair nation where everyone had equal rights.

His determination was founded on Ubuntu: the idea that all human beings are created in God's image and deserve respect and dignity. His willingness to lay down his life for his country and people served as a testament to this principle.

He was also determined to achieve success as a freedom fighter. As leader of the African National Congress (ANC), he championed political liberation and the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa.

He was the head of the ANC in 1994 when they successfully contested elections and earned 62% of the vote - becoming South Africa's first Black president. He was immensely proud that his party had made history by winning such an important election.

In January 1995, Mandela's government of national unity almost collapsed. Despite political uncertainty and turmoil, his determination to win the battle served as a driving force in his leadership.

As a young man, Mandela became increasingly aware of the significance of African culture and its contributions to society. He realized that different tribal groups, though separated by language or custom, shared common political realities and ideals. Only by understanding and working together could he truly succeed as both an Xhosa man and member of the larger African community.

7. He was humble.

One of the greatest leadership qualities anyone can possess is humility. Mandela demonstrated this trait throughout his life, no matter where he went or what he was doing.

He believed it was essential to remain humble and treat people with dignity no matter what they did or said about him. He demonstrated this principle through his interactions with others as well as through his speeches.

He was able to communicate effectively with his audience without feeling threatened or intimidated by them. Indeed, his good humor and approachable demeanor quickly earned him a following that made others feel at ease around him.

He was also renowned for his discipline and hard work, which propelled him to success in all that he attempted. This dedication ultimately allowed him to develop throughout the course of his career.

His dedication was instrumental in the eventual abolition of Apartheid in South Africa. Even when his cause seemed hopeless, he remained dedicated to it despite opposition from those opposed to him.

He was also a mindful leader, dedicating much of his time to improving himself and mastering emotional control. This was because he desired to serve as an inspiring role model for others.