Nelson Mandela was the most significant black leader who stood against racism and apartheid in South Africa, while many in the world were silent. He dreamt of a democratic and free society in which people live together in harmony with equal opportunities. His words, ''the struggle is my life'', give a glimpse of the determination he fought with against apartheid and racism in South Africa, the goal he had set almost four decades back. Mandela has held numerous positions in the ANC: ANCYL secretary (1948); ANCYL president (1950); ANC Transvaal president (1952); Deputy national president (1952) and ANC president (1991). Despites several roadblock and barriers in his path, Mandela succeeded in bringing quality and justice to his people for which he was awarded the honorary Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Childhood & EducationNelson Mandela was born in the Transkei on the 18 July 1918. He lost his father, who was a councilor- at the age of nine when he died of tuberculosis. Hearing the elder’s stories of his ancestors’ bravery during the wars in defense of their fatherland, he dreamed of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people. He was the first member of his family to attend a school and was given the English name ‘Nelson’ by his teacher. After receiving primary education at a local mission school, he enrolled at the University College of Forte Hare for the Bachelor of Arts Degree where he met Oliver Tambo and the two became lifelong friends.
At the end of the first year of the college Nelson became involved in a boycott by the Students’ Representative Council against the university policies, and was told to leave the college. Then he went to Johannesburg to complete his BA via correspondence and entered politics while studying there by joining African National Congress in 1942. After completing his B.A. he started with his law studies at the University of Witwatersrand. During this period Mandela lived in Alexandra Township, north of Johannesburg. Later, when he was in prison, Mandela studies for a Bachelor of Laws from the university of London external programme. Mandela has honorary degrees from more than 50 international universities and is chancellor of the University of the North.
Political Activities
Mandela’s approach was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. Nelson Mandela was elected as the secretary to the youth leadership in 1947. The ANCYL aimed at the attainment of full citizenship, direct parliamentary representation for all South Africans. The policy making process paid special attention to the redistribution of the land, trade union rights, education and culture. Mandela as an important co – author of the policy document aspired to free and compulsory education for all children, as well as mass education for adults. When the ANC launched its Campaign for the Defiance of Unjust Laws in 1952, Mandela traveled to places to discriminatory legislation as Volunteer-in-Chief. Though Mandela had constantly advised their followers to avoid violence, he was charged and brought to trial for his role in the campaign.
Following which he was convicted of contravening the suppression of communism act and given a suspended prison sentence. He was also prohibited from attending gatherings and confined to Johannesburg for six months. In 1952 Mandela and his followers prepared an organizational plan that would enable the leadership of the movement to maintain dynamic contact with its members without recourse to public meetings. The plan was called M-Plan, which was named after him. Apart from it, during early fifties Mandela played vital role in leading the resistance to the Western Areas removal and to the introduction of Bantu Education. In the late fifties he made efforts to curb the exploitation of labour, the pass laws, the nascent Bantustan policy and the segregation of the open universities.
In1961 Umkhonto we Sizwe(translated as Spear of the Nation, also shortened as MK), was formed with Mandela as its commander in chief. He coordinated a sabotage campaign against military and government targets, and made plans for a possible guerilla war if sabotage failed to end apartheid. He left the country unlawfully and traveled abroad addressing the conferences and was warmly received by top leaders of many countries. During this trip Mandela, anticipating an inevitable armed struggle, began to arrange guerrilla training for members of Umkhonto we Sizwe.
Mandela also raised funds for MK abroad, and arranged for paramilitary training, visiting various African governments. Initially committed to a non-violent mass struggle, Mandela explains the move to embark on armed struggle as a last resort, when government left him no choice. Increasing repression and violence from the state convinced him that many years of non violent protest against apartheid had achieved nothing. Soon after his return to South Africa he was arrested for illegal exit from the country. Mandela decided to conduct his own defense. He was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment.
A life devoted to justice
Nelson Mandela has received more than hundred awards over the past four decades for his struggle for democracy, equality and learning. He never answered racism with racism. He won international respect for his advocacy for reconciliation of white and black. Leading a life that symbolizes the triumph of the human spirit over man’s inhumanity to man, Nelson Mandela accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 on behalf of South Africans who suffered and sacrificed so much to bring peace to the world. His life is an inspiration to all oppressed and deprived and to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation
