Nelson Mandela was
a social rights activist, politician and philanthropist who became South
Africa’s first Black president from 1994 to 1999, after spending 27 years in
prison for political offenses. Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in
the tiny village of Mvezo, in Transkei, South Africa. His father was a
local chief and councilor to tribal chiefs. Mandela's African name
"Rolihlahla" means "troublemaker." He studied at Wesleyan
College, University of London, Clarkebury Boarding Institute, University College
of Fort Hare, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.At the start of
his career, he believed in only peaceful and non-violent protests. In 1942
Mandela became actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement, joining the
African National Congress. In 1961 he led a three-day national workers strike.
For this, he was arrested. He was accused of treason against the government and
put in prison. He was released 27 years later, in February 1990.
For 18 of his 27
years in prison he was on Robben Island, which is now a very famous tourist
attraction. He lived in a small cell with no bed and no plumbing. He had to
work very hard breaking limestone all day. While in prison he caught
tuberculosis, but he received the worst kind of treatment and medication, being
a black prisoner. In prison he continued his political work, corresponding with
a worldwide audience. During this time, a global movement to have him released
grew. There were demonstrations and protests in many different countries and
the international community became more aware of the South African government’s
apartheid laws.
In 1990, the new,
non-racist South African president, Frederick de Klerk, ordered Mandela’s
release. Mandela was at last a free man. The symbol of opposition to the repressive
South African regime was welcomed by throngs of supporters - over half a
million people, in Cape Town.
In 1993, both Mandela and de Klerk, won the Noble
Peace Prize. Eventually, in 1994, South Africa held its first fully democratic
election which was the first-time people of all races could vote. It was also
the first time Mandela had ever voted in his life. Mandela became the first
black president in the country on May 10th, 1994 at the age of 77. He tried to
reconcile a united South Africa. In 1996 he signed a law which guaranteed and
protected the civil rights as well as protecting the freedom of speech for all
minority ethnic groups, and all races. He helped South Africa become more
democratic, helping to give citizens a voice.
After he had
retired, he raised money through his foundation to build schools and hospitals
across the country. The foundation also tried to fight poverty and HIV.
Additionally, he founded an organization called “The Elders “, which was a
group of world leaders who worked publicly in trying to find solutions to some
of the world’s most pressing problems.
Mandela died on
December 5, 2013 at the age 95 in Johannesburg. In South Africa. He is revered
by people today as the “father of the nation”.
Teruki
