Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Nelson MandelaSee page for author [Public domain] Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela fought most of his life against Apartheid for the freedom of the black people of South Africa. He was born on July 18, 1918 and sadly died in 2013. One of the most important things is that he was a member of a secret group called ANC (African National Congress). The ANC is a group that fought to make South Africa a non-racist country. To even think that he was sent to jail for 27 years! You might think that he gave up all this hard work, but you'd be wrong. After his 27 years in jail, he was released in 1990... and continued fighting for freedom!

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela fought for equality almost all his life. He went through many obstacles, but he got what he wanted. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and one year after got elected for the first black president of South Africa! His presidency lasted for around five years, from 1994 to 1999. If you go right now to Johannesburg, Sandton, you can see his statue.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was sent to jail on Robben Island for 27 years. His crime was standing up against a government that was committing egregious human rights abuses against black South Africans. He was first sentenced to life in jail but got released in after 27 years. He was released in 1990. And it's crazy what he achieved four years after being sent out of jail. When he got released, he made a speech and one of his sentences was, "I was in a long holiday for 27 years."

The ANC (African National Congress) was a group planning to make South Africa a non-racial country. The ANC was made on January, 8 1912. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was one of the leaders of the ANC. Nelson Mandela was arrested because he was talking in the ANC about how bad the government is, and the government found out, which got him arrested. The ANC is still active now. The founders of the ANC are: John Langalibalele Dube, Sol Plaatje, and Pixley Ka Isaka Seme. (Extra fact: Pixley Ka Isaka Seme is the first black South African lawyer.)

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is a great person, and we will remember him for many great things. I am really happy that he did this. One person can change everything. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela fought all his life and even went to jail for his people. He is one of seven billion people, which shows that dreaming and thinking won't do anything... you have to take action. He is one of the bravest people I know. He is a hero to me because I was born in South Africa, and without him almost all the people I know wouldn't be there.