Nelson Mandela

Anti-Apartheid Protests at UC in San Francisco (http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/Archives/1985/1711/))

By Kyle 

Apartheid was a governmental system in South Africa, from 1948 to 1933, in which the European minority ruled over the African majority and kept the races apart.  Unfair laws were made against black, Indian, and "colored" people. Apartheid means separateness and was created by whites or "Afrikaners". This was because Apartheid separated blacks from whites in every possible way. They separated them in work, living conditions, and proper treatment. The only thing they didn't separate was religion which was often forced upon people of color. There were intense cases of discrimination all around Johannesburg (a city in the center of South Africa) and the other cities of South Africa. Blacks were forced to abide by very mean laws that took away their rights and made them be treated very poorly. One such law was the Extension of University Education Act, Act 45 of 1959 which made it so black people and people of color could not go to universities or even most schools. This made it impossible to get an education so most black and colored people could not read or write. Because of this, many could not get a job because of the lack of degree or because they simply can't understand the papers they would need to fill out. Because of another law that was passed, they could be arrested and sent to jail or be put in labour camps for not having a job. Apartheid was eventually ended and one of the biggest anti-Apartheid supporters, Nelson Mandela was elected the president of South Africa by political vote.  

Nelson Mandela ( ())

Biography

By Nate

Nelson Mandela ( ())

Believes and Ideology

By Tyler

Nelson Mandela didn't believe in war or violence as the answer; he believed in peace, although he did want a branch of military in the area in order to be more intimidating. With having a military, he and what he is fighting for might have a chance to get what they want. In case they were to get attacked the military would be there to protect them. Nelson Mandela went to prison due to what he was trying to achieve and by being against apartheid. He attended fort Hare University and got his bachelors degree but then he joined in a boycott protest to help the South African blacks, he was expelled and was told never to return to the school; but he finished his degree by correspondence from Johannesburg. That sparked his view and career as a law activist and he started even harder to help the blacks in South Africa to stop the apartheid. He fought against the oppression and discrimination of blacks in South Africa. He believed in standing up for others who cannot stand up for themselves. While in prison Mandela had a very small cell with the floor as a bed, he was forced to do strenuous work with little food after each day. He also only had a visitor once a year for 30 minutes and sent out and received a letter every 6 months. Once he had been released from prison he was elected for president and he help end the oppression put on the blacks of South Africa. While being president Mandela did a lot for the blacks of South Africa. Even though he organized car bombings and other terrorist attacks he did in fact want peace. And once released from prison he decided to go to peace.

"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended."

• Nelson Mandela

Alistair , Boddy-Evans. "Biography: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela." African History. http://africanhistory.about.com/od/mandelanelson/a/bio_mandela.htm, 15 Aug. 2004. Web. 14 Feb. 2012.

Nelson Mandela with U.S. President ( ())

The Fight Against the Apartheid

By Mason

Nelson Mandela was born into chieftainship. This means like a prince who grew up in a rich family; what was rich for the black South Africans that is. Nelson Mandela was acutely education. He then was incarcerated for no reason, like other smart or rebellious black South Africans. After one of his arrests, his incarceration lasted just shortly after 27 years. Nelson Mandela later ran for president of South Africa; he was then the first black South African president after the Apartheid. He was seen as the "bringer of freedom", peace, and hope to all black South Africans. In the early days of Nelson Mandel's political career he tried to overrun the whites and apartheid laws of the government by leading protests and demonstrations against the apartheid laws. After the apartheid, lots of the black population wanted to exact revenge on the white population. Nelson Mandela was against this and instead of using revenge on the white South Africans (also known as Afrikaners). He tapped into the hearts of all the people; bringing them together he created a "new" South Africa. He started opening and building schools for the black South Africans. Nelson Mandela was against an armed revolt some people held because he knew even though his people out numbered the whites by South Africans, they out gunned them. So he saw the only way to win was to wait and strike when he could. Nelson Mandela led protests and demonstrations to gain followers so then all he had to do was wait in prison for a white South African to speak up. In his case it was F.W. de Klerk; the current president at that time. De Klerk put an end to  the ban of the ANC. Freeing Mandela had allowed him to run for president and free the black South Africans.

Smith, S. E. "What is Apartheid?." Wise Geek. 2003-2012Conjecture Corporation, 2 Feb. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.