Nelson Mandela: South Africa’s Heroic Freedom Fighter
In 1952 Nelson Mandela became the deputy national president of the African National
Congress, advocating nonviolent resistance to apartheid. However, after a group of peaceful
demonstrators were slaughtered in Sharpeville, South Africa, Mandela organized a paramilitary
branch of the African National Congress to carry out guerrilla warfare against the white
government.
He was against the apartheid in South Africa and that motivated him to become an
activist and leader of the African National Congress (ANC). However, the apartheid regime
viewed him and his party as terrorists and communists because he was fighting to end the
apartheid in South Africa.
Since he had a strong commitment to non violence, he became involved in the
underground armed resistance activities. After being acquitted of charges of
treason, he was arrested and convicted of harm and sentenced to life in
prison, where he became the leading icon of South Africa's exploited black
majority.
His involvement in the African National Congress and the underground armed resistance
led to his trial and imprisonment on October 25, 1962. After, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in
a cell on Robben Island, and Victor Verster Prison. He was finally released in 1990, as an
expression of President de Klerk's promise to change the government policy in South Africa.
After he was released from prison, Mandela was elected in July, 1991 as the president of
the African National Congress, after a delightful world tour.
He represented the African
National Congress in the disorderly negotiations that led to establishment of majority rule. In
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South Africa's first multiracial elections in 1994, Mandela was elected president, and served until
1999.
Mandela accepted the Nobel Peace Prize as an honor to all people who have worked for
peace and stood against racism. He regards it as a tribute to the people of Norway who stood
against apartheid the world was silent. Nelson Mandela has never wavered in his commitment to
democracy, equality and learning.
Despite all the pain, Nelson Mandela fought for freedom for his country, he never gave
up. In the rebellion led by Mandela to change a model of racial separation and oppression into
an open democracy, he demonstrated that he was willing to take up arms. He was even ready to
die for what he believed in, equality and freedom for all.
Through his readiness to walk the road of sacrifice, he has reaffirmed the common
potential for humans to move toward a new age. Mandela is not deceived by the admiration of
the world. When he was asked to comment on the BBC's unflattering verdict on his performance
as a leader, Mandela replied, "It helps to make you human."
Mandela has worked hard to help people world wide, especially children and AIDS
victims. Nelson Mandela’s humanitarian foundations to help people across the world, maintain
peace and fight against racism, include the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela
Children’s Fund. Oppression and racism goes against all that he was taught and therefore,
Mandela believed fighting against injustice is his duty.
(WORDCOUNT 500 words)
References:
Chamusso, Patrick. A former freedom fighter makes a home for kids orphaned by AIDS.
People Heroes Among Us, Vol. 66/ Pg. 119
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NPR (Producer) News & Notes, November 7, 2006. Mandela’s Friend Pens Authorized
Biography. [On-line audio]. (Available on
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6448074)
O'Meara, Donna. (2006) A troublemaker is born. Faces: People, Places, and Cultures, v22 i6/
p10
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