Children's Web Magazine
Nelson Mandela is one of the world's most respected former leaders. In 2008 he celebrates his 90th birthday. There is a lot to admire about Mandela and for me it is his ability to forgive that stands out. Forgiveness is the hardness thing to do. But Mandela was able to openly forgive. He spent years in prison because of what he believed in, a free society for all.
He was born Rolihlaha Nelson Dalibunga Mandela on the 18th July 1918 in Mvezo (a village in Transkei) South Africa. He was the son of chief. But rather than continue the tradition he decided to study law and become a lawyer. He set up a law firm with his friend Oliver Tambo in 1952. Both were members of the ANC (African National Congress) a group that sought freedom for black South Africans.
Mandela married Evelyn Mase in the 1940's and they had four children. One of which sadly died at nine months old. A son died aged 25 while Mandela was still in prison. The marriage didn't last due to his political involvement. He also spent a lot of time away from home.
Mandela believed very much that any action must be peaceful and not violent. He later went against these principles as they were being met with violence. In the end he felt that they had no option. It was no longer a peaceful struggle. Force would now play its part.
In 1958 after his divorce from his first marriage he married Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela (Winnie) they had two daughters. However the marriage didn't last they separated two years after his release from prison and divorced in 1996. He married Graca Machel in 1998.
Mandela was put on trial several times. He would move around the country using false names and pretend to be a gardener, a labourer or something. He would also go abroad and spent a few months out of the country in 1962. When he arrived back he was arrested and put on trial. In his final statement before being sentenced in 1964 he said
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. 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."
Neither he nor the others who were on trial with him were sentenced to death instead they were sentenced to life in prison. One even turned to his mother and shouted “Its life, life is for living.” They had inspired others to protest against apartheid.
He spent nearly 27 years in prison most of which was on Robben Island. In the mid 1980's he slowly managed to get his point of view across to the government. He wrote a letter to the Minister of Justice Kobie Coetzee. This in time would lead to negotiations.
Mandela was then released from prison in 1990. A year later he became President of the ANC. And in 1993 he and F.W de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Prize for peace. It was de Klerk who was then South Africa's President who had Mandela released from prison. They then set about putting an end to apartheid. In 1994 the first ever elections involving both blacks and whites took place.
Mandela won and became the first black President of South Africa. This humble, dignified man has generated so much respect throughout the world. When he visited the South African rugby players at the start of the rugby world cup he said "Sport is the best way to convey messages to those who cannot understand our language and sport appeals to everybody." In August 2007 to honour Mandela they placed a statue of him in Parliament Square London. And of course he was there for the unveiling. The man whose first name Rolihlahla means "pulling the branch of a tree" did exactly that. He pulled and kept on pulling until he had achieved justice and freedom for all in his country.
© Children's Web Magazine 2007