Nelson Mandela was an inspirational national treasure who sacrificed himself numerous times for the greater good and freedom of others. He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher Miss Mdingane gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the custom to give all school children "Christian" names. Mandela lived a long life which included spending 27 year in prison for his beliefs, uniting South Africa to prevent it imploding in itself, and winning countless piece prizes such as the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mandela worked effortlessly to establish justice even if it meant sacrificing himself in the process. Mandela soon travelled around Africa and visited England to gain support for the armed battle. While on his journey, he was charged with leaving the country illegally and inciting workers to strike. While facing the death penalty his words to the court at the end of his famous 'Speech from the Dock' on 20 April 1964 became immortalized: "I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."(Mandela) Mandela didn't just see what would happen five, ten years from now, he saw what would happen today and how we acted together. Mandela truly establishes that he is not this famous person who needed attention 24/7. He saw himself as a leader that was as important as a person who stands up for what they believed in. A leader that didn't need to be protected and immortal. He knew that he could be killed. "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership." (Mandela) This quote explains that Mandela was ahead of his time, and shows that he didn't care if his name was anywhere important in the future. All he cared was that injustice was stopped forever.
Mandela had indeed made an outstanding accomplishment through his speeches for the ANC and, as a result, the African rights movement began to pick up steam. Although this triggered a steady flow of support from the black majority, it also alerted some unwanted organizations such as the government. "If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness." This shows that because of his beliefs, Mandela is a constant role model for everyone no matter what color they are. He eventually was caught and was brought to court. The court found him guilty of treason and sentenced him to life in prison. He spent 18 years of that sentence on Robben Island doing hard labor, but eventually the authorities moved him to solitary confinement because he was making too strong of an influence on the other inmates. During this time, Mandela had become a household name and international figure symbolizing the struggle for human rights. After nine more years, the new president of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, released him on February 11, 1990 under significant national and international pressure. "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." After being in jail for almost two decades, he channeled inner peace, and let go of the injustice that was against him.
Nelson Mandela was born Rolihlahla Mandela; a "primary school teacher with delusions of imperial splendor" gave him his English name. His native name means "one who brings trouble upon himself" (Brink). From his beginnings as the son of a rural farmer, to his speeches of truly epic proportions, to his 27 years in prison for the good of the African people, to his unparalleled way of peacefully negotiating the terms of a new government, and even to his ultimate success as the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela did bring all of his suffering upon himself. But if every hero since the beginning of time had taken the easy way out, there is no doubt that the world would be a very different place.
Works Cited
"AllAfrica." AllAfrica.com: South Africa: Biography of Nelson Mandela (Page 1 of 10). AllAfrica Association, 2013. Web. 09 Dec. 2013.
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Last edited 1/13/2014 12:00:00 AM
