Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was born at Qunu, near Umtata on 18 July 1918. His father, was
chief councillor to Thembuland's acting chief David Dalindyebo. When his father
died, Mandela and was groomed for becoming chief of his local tribe. However
Mandela would never be able to make this commitment.
Whilst at university Nelson Mandela became increasingly aware of the unjust
nature of South African Society. The majority of Black South Africans had little
opportunities either Economic or Political. Much to the disappointment of his
family, Mandela became involved in politics, and along with his good friend and
comrade Oliver Tambo was expelled from Fort Hare for organising a student
strike. However Mandela was able to finish his degree and qualified as a Lawyer.
In 1952 Mandela and Tambo opened the first Black Law firm in South Africa. The
Transvaal Law Society tried to have it closed down, although this was blocked by
the South African Supreme Court.
In 1944 Mandela helped found the ANC Youth League, whose Programme of Action was
adopted by the ANC in 1949. Mandela was instrumental in pushing the ANC into
more direct action such as the 1952 Defiance Campaign and later acts of
sabotage.
By the late 50s the S.A.state had become increasingly repressive making it more
difficult for the ANC to operate. Mandela had to resign from the ANC and work
underground. In the late 50s (56 –61) there was an extremely lengthy “Treason
Trial” in which Mandela and several others were charged with treason. Conducting
their own defence they eventually proved to be victorious. Mandela noted in his
autobiography the judiciary were one of the least repressive parts of the South
African State and in theory sought to follow the rule of law.
However in 1960 the Sharpeville massacre of 63 black South African’s changed the
whole political climate. South Africa was increasingly isolated on the
international scene and the government banned the ANC. This led Mandela to
advocate armed struggle through the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK).
However by 1962 Mandela had been arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in
the notorious Robben Island prison. Life at the prison was tough and
uncompromising. However in his autobiography Mandela reveals how he sought to
make the best use of his time there. He helped to keep other Men’s spirits high
and never compromised his political principles when offered earlt release.
Towards the end of his prison spell his treatment improved as the South African
establishment increasingly looked to negotiation, in the face of international
isolation.
Although negotiations were painfully slow and difficult, they eventually led to
Mandela’s release in 1990. It was an emotional moment watched by millions around
the globe
The next 4 years were also difficult as South African society suffered inter
cultural violence between ANC and Inkarta supporters, in addition to slow
progress on a new constitution.
However on 10 May 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first
democratically elected State President of South Africa on and was President
until June 1999. As president, Mandela presided over the transition from
minority rule and apartheid. His advocacy of reconciliation led to international
acclaim and importantly the trust of the White African population. Despite the
initial euphoria of winning the election the ANC faced a difficult challenge to
improve the lives of the black population. This was made more difficult by the
HIV epidemic, which continues to cause grave problems. (Nelson Mandela recently
lost his eldest son to this disease and Mandela has worked hard to campaign on
this issue.)
Since retiring from office Nelson Mandela has continued to be an international
figure of great stature. He is one of the few politicians who have gone beyond a
political role; he is widely admired and has received many prestigious awards.
Nelson Mandela is also associated with many educational programmes and
initiatives such as Make Poverty History Campaign.
In 1993 Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with F.W. De
Klerk