Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela (http://www.nelsonmandelaonline.net/images/nelson-mandela.jpg (Nelson Mandela online))

              Nelson Mandela was born July 18th, 1918. When you hear the word hero what comes to mind? Bravery, courage, strength, determination. These are all things a hero should have but does not necessarily need. All a hero needs to be great is a good cause and the urge to do what is right. And that is exactly what Nelson Mandela did in South Africa. He was brave enough to overcome his obstacles and become the first democratically elected president in South Africa. He was in office from 1994 to 1999 and established democracy for South Africa his first year as president. Before he was president he was a political activist and was against the South African government before he was able to change it.

              Nelson Mandela was born July 18th, 1918. He was born in Transkei South Africa in a small village called Mvezo. His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu tribe. When Nelson was nine, his father died of tuberculosis. Due to his loss of status, Nelson and his mother had to move to an even smaller village called Qunu. His life was hard as a child, only having his mother to support him. What he didn't know yet, was that he was gonna do great things.

              When he got old enough, he became the first member of his family to attend a college. He went to both University of Fort Hare and University of Witwatersrand. And in 1942, he qualified for law. After college he joined the African National Congress and was engaged in resisting the congress' policies. He was charged for treason. He went on trial from 1956 till 1961 until he was acquitted in 1961. He was charged with treason and sentenced to 5 years in prison. In 1960 the ANC was banned. In 1963, when members of the ANC were being arrested, Nelson was brought to trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government through violence. He and 8 others were sentenced to life in prison. He was in prison from 1964 to 1982.

              "For to be free is not merely cast off one's chain, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedoms of others."-Nelson Mandela. While Mandela was in prison, his reputation grew. Many people in South Africa saw him as a very important black leader to his people. He became a symbol of fighting for rights and freedom. Many people of South Africa started movements against apartheid policies. He did not believe in changing his political ideas to obtain freedoms. He believed that if he stayed strong he would grow more followers and respect when he was done with his sentence and it worked. On February 11th 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison. When he was let out he was known as one of the important black activists in South Africa. 

Nelson Mandela Fist (http://www.biography.com (bio. true story))

              Nelson Mandela was born July 18th, 1918. When Mandela was released from prison he went straight to work. He was trying to do things that others had tried but failed to do in the past. In 1991 at an ANC conference, Nelson Mandela was elected president and his life long friend and college became the organizations National Chairperson. He was the first ever elected in a democratic election. He was president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 and won over 250 awards in his lifetime. In 1993, Mandela was given The Nobel Peace Prize due to his efforts for democracy and what was right. Nelson Mandela is a hero to me because he was loyal to his country and was able to do what ever it took to do what he believed was right. Even though he was sent to prison, he kept on fighting. And that is what I believe a hero is. "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."-Nelson Mandela