Biography 2
ANC centenary 2012
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela is one of the world's greatest
leaders who has dedicated his life to replacing
apartheid in South Africa with democracy. Once
condemned as a terrorist, he cherished the ideal
of a democratic, free and equal society and
spent 27 years in prison to ensure that this was
achieved. He became the country's first black
President in 1994 and was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize for his extraordinary leadership and
achievements in 1993.
Born on 18 July 1918 in a small rural village, his
birth name was Rolihlahla but he was given the
name Nelson at the local mission school. His
father was a well respected tribal chief but died
when Nelson was only nine. Nelson worked hard
at school, went to university and eventually
became a lawyer.
His early politics was influenced by Mahatma
Gandhi who said that the best way to overcome
oppression and injustice was to use ‘non-violence, non-cooperation.’ In 1944 he formed the
youth league of the African National Congress (ANC) with close friends, Oliver Tambo and
Walter Sisulu. They wanted to transform the ANC into a more radical party which
encouraged ordinary people to resist the unfair laws of apartheid in a non-violent way. When
the National Party came to power in the all-white general election of 1948, he began to
advocate boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience. This culminated in the Defiance Campaign
in 1952.
He was arrested and imprisoned for leading the resistance against the Bantu Education Act
and the forced removal of black South Africans from the vibrant, multi-racial Western Areas
of the country like Sophiatown. After the ANC was banned in 1960, he went into hiding and
became known as ‘the Black Pimpernel’. Forced to live apart from his family he took on
many disguises including as a labourer, a gardener and a chauffeur!
After the Sharpeville Massacre, he and the other ANC leaders decided that non-violent
action was no longer working against the brutal apartheid regime. They formed the armed
wing of the ANC which was known as ‘The Spear of the Nation.’
“It was only when all else had failed, when all channels of peaceful protest had been barred
to us, that the decision was made to embark on violent forms of political struggle ... the
government had left us no other choice.”
Nelson was arrested for the third time in 1962, after being on the run for more than a year.
He was eventually convicted of sabotage and treason along with seven others in a long trial
known as ‘The Rivonia Trial’. Knowing he could face the death penalty, he, Walter Sisulu
and Govan Mbeki decided that, if they were given the death sentence, they would not
appeal. His famous statement to the court became an inspiration to millions around the world
who joined the anti-apartheid movement:
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have
cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in
harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve.
But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Sent to the notorious Robben Island prison, a maximum security prison on a small island
near Cape Town, Nelson Mandela was to spend the next 27 years in prison. During this time
people all over the world joined an international campaign calling for his release. While in
prison he gained huge support from people who respected his ideals and his belief that
apartheid must be ended in South Africa. He was offered freedom several times in return for
giving up his beliefs but merely stated:
“Prisoners cannot enter into contracts – only free men can negotiate.”
Nelson Mandela was finally released from jail on 11 February 1990. The era of apartheid
finally came to an end on the 27 April 1994, when he voted for the first time in his life – along
with his people, in South Africa’s first multi-racial elections. He became President after a
landslide win. In his generous inauguration speech he said:
“We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world
who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free. Their
dreams have become reality. Freedom is their reward. We are both humbled and elevated
by the honour and privilege that you, the people of South Africa, have bestowed on us, as
the first President of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government.”
The former President has made few public appearances since largely retiring from public life
in 2004 at the age of 85.
However, two young people from London were lucky enough to meet him while campaigning
for an education for all the world’s children and are pictured here meeting him in
Mozambique in 2005. Pic credit: David Rose/Panos/ActionAid