Nelson Mandela - one man can make a difference

Nelson Mandela was born 18 July 1918 in Transkei, South Africa. He was the son of Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe, and was originally named Rolihlahla Mandela. When his father died, Mandela was sent to live with his uncle. During a break from college, he left his village in order to avoid a prearranged marriage. He began studying at the University College of Fort Hare, but was suspended in 1940 because of his participation in a student protest. In 1941, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Africa, and qualified in law in 1942. 10 years later, Mandela and Oliver Tambo opened the first black-owned law firm in South Africa. They wanted to serve the black population and defend black clients against the apartheid laws.

In 1944, Mandela became a member of a black-liberation organization called the African National Congress (ANC). Together with the other members, he fought for a democratic government. Mandela soon became one of the leaders in the organization, but was arrested and tried for treason in 1956 with 150 other activists. After a long trial he was acquitted.

In 1960, Mandela began to advocate acts of sabotage. He also helped found a military wing of the ANC. In 1962 he was caught and sentenced to five years in prison. A year later, he was tried for sabotage, treason and violent conspiracy as well, and was sentenced to lifetime in Prison. On 2 February 1990, the government declared the ANC legal and Mandela was released from prison.

Nelson Mandela was named ahead of the ANC, and his work to help bring an end to apartheid gave him the Nobel Peace prize in 1993. In 1994, for the first time in over 300 hundred years, blacks in South Africa had the opportunity to vote for their rulers. At the age of 75, in 1994, Mandela was elected president. He proved to be a great politician. Nelson Mandela is a symbol on how one man can truly make a difference in the world!

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