Strong Minded
Nelson Mandela
Early Childhood
Nelson Mandela was born in 1918, July 18th and was raised herding cows and playing with other boys in the village of Qunu. Sadly, when Mandela reached the age of 12, his father died. He attended a mission school near a palace which is where he studied English, Xhosa and geography. Then he enrolled at the University of Fort Hare to secure his graduation degree but was expelled after being involved with in the Student Representative Council and boycotting against the schools policies.
"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."
After being expelled, Mandela moved to Johannesberg in 1941 which is where he dedicated himself to working most of his day at the ANC (African National Congress) faction as an activist alongside Walter Sisulu. In 1994 he first married Evelyn Mase but divorced in 1957. Years of living in Johannesburg working for the ANC, he married Winnie Madikizela. After years of resisting apartheid, he started to protest with other activists causing economic sabotage for democracy which started to involve the government and sentenced Mandela and other activists to "life in prison" after them being arrested a few times previously.
Apartheid
From 1948 to 1994, apartheid was becoming a huge problem for the blacks in South Africa and their global image, but the Dutch thought it was alright. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation to separate blacks from whites. There was basically no liberal white people as they had power of the blacks and didn't want to be close or socialise with them because of they beliefs and skin colour.
"Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished"
After his action against apartheid, he was charged with high treason along with 155 other activists but charges against him were dropped. Nelson was put in prison for 27 years, initially most of which were spent in Robben Island but also 2 other prisons. After being put in prison, he was and unable to protest, fighting against discrimination in which politically isolated him from the government. In 1968, Nelson Mandela's mother died causing great depression for Nelson Mandela. He was offered to be released from Robben Island many times from the government but he must abandon his beliefs but he never gave up. He was released by president FW de Klerk in 1990 at the age of 72. Nelson Mandela divorced with Winnie after she was charged for kidnapping and accessory to assault.
"When people are determined they can overcome anything."
After being let out of prison, Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace prize along with FW de Klerk in 1993 and become the president of South Africa in 1994. "It always seems impossible until it's done". In his campaign he worked on relationships with whites and blacks and ended apartheid and racial segregation, which led to equal rights. He was a very charismatic and fair leader who "must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people". Sadly, Mandela steps down as a leader and retires from public life and dies at the age of 95 in 2013. He is now one of the most inspiring people to many people on Earth after a tough, strong life.