Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about Nelson Mandela. Born in Transkei, South Africa in July 18, 1918, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela would soon be South Africa’s first black president. His parents were of the Thembu tribe of traditional Africa, and his father was a chief. As a young child, he faced racism inflicted on his people by the Apartheid and the South African government. He knew he wanted to fight for his people.

          Mandela enrolled in primary school with his native name, Rolihlahla. His teacher gave him a Christian name, Nelson. He was admitted to University of Fort Hare and University of Witwatersrand, where he studied law. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 to fight against racial oppression, and the apartheid, which was a racial segregation enforced by the National Party.

          In 1955, Mandela was arrested for treason and was tried from 1956 to 1961, and soon acquitted in 1961. Meanwhile, on March 20, 1960, a non-violent protest turned to a bloody massacre. Black protesters were marching for equality and civil rights when white officers killed 69 and wounded 180 individuals. All victims were unarmed. This day became known as the Sharpeville Massacre.

          After the Sharpeville Massacre, the ANC (African National Congress) was banned. Mandela was arrested in 1962 for leaving the country without a valid passport and planning a strike against the government. He and other civil rights activists were sentenced to life in prison. He was incarcerated on Robben Island, but then was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison.

          The ANC was unbanned in 1990, and Nelson Mandela was released from prison on February 11, 1990. He successfully fought for his people and achieved many accomplishments after his release. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, voted for the first time in 1994, and became South Africa’s first democratically voted black president. After one term as president, he stepped down as he promised.

          On December 5, 2013, Nelson Mandela died in his Johannesburg home. Mandela has become a legendary hero for equality and civil rights for his people, and is known as one of the greatest anti-apartheid activists of history. Honor Nelson Mandela ☮

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