His fight against apartheid.
Intro + Brief Outline.
There have been many examples of conflict
in the world’s history. Nelson Mandela is a
perfect example of an individual standing up for
what he believes in During his stance against
apartheid, Mandela encountered
conflict with the predominantly
white South African Government
because he struggled for change
to achieve equality for all South
Africa’s people.
Who, what, where and when?
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South
Africa on July 18, 1918. Nelson Mandela stood up for
what he believed in. He believed that the system of
apartheid between blacks and whites in South Africa was
wrong. The segregation in South Africa of people with
different coloured skin, was common place from the late
1940’s to early 1990’s. This included segregated bars,
swimming pools, libraries and other recreational and
community activities. Mandela was imprisoned because of
his views and expressing these views in public. The
predominately white government saw him as a threat to
their power and they jailed him for life.
Mandela was released on the 11th of February 1990 after 27
years in prison for treason. He was inaugurated as the first
democratically elected State President of South Africa on
the 10 May 1994 - June 1999. Change has occurred in
South Africa yet for many citizens, the change has not come
quickly enough. Many South Africans who could afford to
do so, have emigrated. The remaining population of South
Africa are struggling with the change which has come
about due to Nelson Mandela’s stance. However, most
citizens are happy to have the right to vote and practise
their life freely without apartheid rule.
Different perspectives and effects
For many white South Africans, the transition to a
non-apartheid government has been very difficult.
The adjustment has been too difficult for some who
have emigrated from their home. Preference is now
given to the previously disadvantaged people even if
they are not fully qualified or trained for the position
offered. Companies are required to have a balanced
number of black, coloured and white South Africans in
a measure to correct the previous imbalance caused by
discrimination. This has resulted in large numbers of
white South Africans out of work.
Education in South Africa has also undergone many
changes since Nelson Mandela has become President.
A policy for affirmative action in education to correct the
low numbers of disadvantaged black students in tertiary
education has brought about change for opportunity. With
these changes, students who were once assured a place in
university/tertiary studies are not always accepted because
of the new rules for acceptance into these courses. As in the
area of employment, a policy to educate the disadvantaged
and establish a balance has created another conflict.
Affirmative action to correct years of disadvantage has
meant drastic change for previously privileged students
who were mainly white Sth. Africans.
Prompt that relates to this conflict.
Conflict is a stimulus for change. This is an appropriate
prompt for this situation as when a conflict occurred in this
case, a massive change resulted from this conflict.
While the changes to the way the country of Sth. Africa was
governed have been welcomed by the world and
particularly the disadvantage people of the country, change
has not eliminated conflict. Instead it has introduced a
new kinds of conflict. Many believe the changes were too
rapid and did not allow for a smooth transition. Sth. Africa
continues to work towards gaining equality for all yet many
years of inequality cannot be corrected in the short term.
List of three conflicts and websites.
Conflict between the white South African Government
and disadvantaged citizens.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_under_apart
heid
Conflict between the white South African Government
and Nelson Mandela.
http://myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=nelsonMandela
Conflict between the South African department of
Education and unqualified teachers.
http://countrystudies.us/south-africa/56.htm