Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (born July 18, 1918) was
Political Activities
Rolihlahla
Mandela was born in the black homeland of Transkei. His first name could be interpreted as "troublemaker."
The Nelson was added later, by a primary school teacher. Mandela was educated at University College of Fort Hare, where he
had become involved in student protests against the white colonial rule of the institution, which encouraged him to set out
on the long walk toward personal and national liberation.
Having
graduated from the University of Witwatersrand
and qualified in law in 1942, Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the
ruling of National Party's apartheid policies after 1948. The government mounted a massive treason trial against its main
opponents, Mandela among them. It dragged on until 1961, ending in the acquittal of all 156 accused. Most liberation movements, including the A.N.C.,
were banned.
After
the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela wanted to set up a military wing within the ANC. Mandela was arrested in 1962
and sentenced to five years sentence. Within months practically all the leaders of the A.N.C. were arrested. Mandela was to
stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. On June 12, 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life
imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison.
Without
any attempt to find a legal way out, Mandela assumed his full responsibility. This conferred a new status of moral dignity
on his leadership. His reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement
gathered strength.
After
his release on February 18, 1990, he put himself wholeheartedly into his life's work, striving to attain the goals he and
others had set out earlier. With the patience, the wisdom, the visionary quality Mandela brought to his struggle, and above
all the moral integrity with which he set about to unify a divided people, resulted in the country's first democratic elections
and his selection as President.
After his retirement as President in 1999, Mandela becomes an advocate for a variety of social and human rights organizations. Today, Nelson Mandela is in his 80s, yet he still continues to voice his opinions on issues relating human rights, while
enjoying the prestige as an elder statesman.
Lists of Awards
- Lenin Peace
Prize - 1962
- Bharat Ratna – 1990
- Nobel
Peace Prize – 1993
- Order of Merit
- 1995
- Freedom of the City of Johannesburg
- 2004
- Honourary Companion of The Order of Canada
- Order of St. John
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
Mandela’s
Inspiring Leadership and Our Views
In
South Africa he is known as Madiba, an
honourary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
In
the process of his leadership Mandela has definitely made mistakes, based on a stubborn belief in himself. Yet his standing
and integrity remain such that these flaws tend to enhance rather than diminish his humanity. Mandela strives, through his
own example, to attain faith, hope and charity. Through his willingness to walk the road of sacrifice, he has reaffirmed our
common potential to move toward a new age.
Whereas
a life sentence hardly seemed an auspicious step in a leadership career, oddly enough Mandela's leadership was enhanced by
twenty six years in prison. The prison disclosed his many respectable qualities of leadership, of standing firm in adversity,
of accepting a greater responsibility for the course of events, of maintaining dignity and confidence in the face of a death.
Plus, Mandela shows enthusiasm for understanding his followers and their needs.
He
is truly a great leader with integrity and unwavering faith.
