Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, upon his birth was given an African name as Rolihlahla Mandela by his father. The name, in layman terms meant “troublemaker”. Upon his first day at school his teacher Miss Mdingane gave him a Christian name and called him “Nelson Mandela” as the traditional names were not regarded well. Mandela started off his career as a lawyer after his graduation from the University of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand before working as a lawyer in Johannesburg, South Africa. But he was immensely targeted for racism as he was the only black person. Mandela also became the first black lawyer in South Africa. South Africa had a relatively better economy as compared to the Northern end. Yet, the white supremacy and social taboos were some serious challenges for the country. Being a Xhosa speaker, he married a Sotho, breaking one of taboos in Africa. He spent most of his leisure time running and boxing and became perfect at it. He always admired the African culture in times when other Africans admired European culture. In South Africa, admiration of European culture was a common norm for African people. 

He admired attending the communist party gatherings. What fascinated him the most was a heterogeneous culture: people from many nationalities, mixed genders and different races, were present under one roof, and were treated as equals. Regardless of the racism in South Africa, Mandela just wanted to be treated as an equal. He joined African National Congress in 1944, a party that supported his cause and worked for Black community’s rights. The ruling elite in South Africa were mostly white. For this reason, chances for blacks to come into power were low. Emerging as ANC leader, he advocated for a non-violent means of disobedience against the government and led campaigns for the cause. He was convicted and sentenced for five years at Robben Island Prison for his efforts to call for a peaceful and nonviolent movement. He was charged with conspiracy and treason against the government. He spent a brutal first 18 of his 27 years in prison, for opposing the apartheid. Constant hard labor and a small cell without a bed exhausted him but that did not change his motives.

In 1989, F.W. de Klerk came into power and became the new South African president. He gave orders to lift the ban on ANC and to release Mandela. This was the first time when a multiracial government was established with changing dynamics in South Africa. By the end of the late 20th century, Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts and struggle to change the racial politics. The country’s first free and fair elections were held in 1994. Mandela and his party in coalition won with a great lead. And thus, Mandela became the first black president in a black majority country, South Africa.

As President of South Africa, he promoted peace, and emerged as an advocate for social justice and equality globally. It is indeed not the skin color that decides fate, but the idea and will to make it happen. Mandela established the truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the human rights violations and to improve the living standards of the black living in South Africa. Until his death in December 2013, he promoted his cause for a global social justice campaign.

Mandela and his story of harsh realities proved to the world that dream and desire can never be washed out. It just takes time for an idea to penetrate. Every revolution and new beginning has messy endings either in bloodshed or bloodless revolutions

Mandela’s speeches and writings give the gesture of motivation and determination. The following are the few lines that come from his inaugural address to the nation after he was announced as the president of South Africa.

"We have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people. We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity -- a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world."