Nelson Mandela By Leah McHugh

Early Life Nelson Mandela was born on 18th July 1918. He was originally called Rolilhlaha Mandela. At the age of seven he set out across the hills to an old shack that served as a school for poor black children. At this school his teacher gave him the name Nelson. His father was chief of the Thembu tribe and sadly passed away when Nelson was only 9 years of age. The new chief of the Thembu tribe then adopted Nelson as his son. At the age of 16 his father sent him to boarding school and then went on to university. It was very unusual for black children to get this kind of education at this time. When he finished in university he became a qualified lawyer.

The Apartheid System The apartheid system began in 1948 and finished in 1994. Black people were not being treated the way white people were. The majority of black people in South Africa had little or no education and lived in shanty towns and ghettos. Black people who luckily got a job were badly paid. The government of South Africa ignored these peoples complaints and put them in prison.

The African National Congress Nelson and his friend Oliver Tambo set up their own law practice to help the poorer black South Africans. From the beginning, they were concerned about treatment of their fellow people. Nelson decide to become involved in politics and in 1942 he joined a political party called the “African National Congress” (ANC) The ANC did not agree with the apartheid system and together with millions of others black people fought hardly against it. They used strikes and boycotts to try and get rid of this system of government.

Imprisonment Nelson was soon arrested and imprisoned and next the ANC was banned. In 1964 he sentenced to life in prison. He started his life in prison in Robben Island. He became known as prisoner no. 46664. He was moved to Polsmoor prison in 1984 and was imprisoned for eight more years.

Achieving a dream After 26 years in prison Nelson was finally released on 11th Februaury 1990. In February 1990 the ANC political party was unbanned. In 1991 Nelson became leader of the ANC. In 1994 elections were held and black people voted for the first time. Nelson then became the first black president of South Africa. Apartheid was abolished and all South Africans are treated equally. Nelson had fulfilled his dream.

Nobel Peace Prize Nelson was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He was given the prize for bringing peace to the people of South Africa. He accepted the prize in honour of all South Africans who had suffered in bringing peace to their country.

Retirement Nelson Mandela retired from politics in 1999. His life has been an inspiration to people throughout the world. His motto was “The struggle is my life”.

Questions to ask Nelson Mandela How did you feel when you became the first black president? Do you think you could have resolved the apartheid problem without violence? How did you feel when you got the chance to got to college? How did you feel when you didn’t see your family for 26 years? What kept you occupied in prison? How did you feel when the ANC was unbanned?