“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again”. These words are said by the greatest Freedom fighter, whose name was Nelson Mandela. A man who raised his voice against Racism. In Africa, when white people had power over black people, Mandela at that time wanted his country racist free or to end apartheid. His remarkable contribution to the country (South Africa) was to get freedom from white oppression. Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid revolutionary, a great influential leader, and as well a philanthropist. He became the first president of South Africa to be elected in a fully representative election.
Mandela’s Education:
Once Mandela quoted; ‘The Greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.’
His real tribal name was” Rolihlahla”. Rolihlahla means troublemaker. A teacher used to call him Nelson in School. Thus, his name was Nelson. Nelson Mandela is also known as “Madiba”. Madiba was the clan name of Mandela.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918, to the Madiba clan, in the village of Mvezo, South Africa. His Mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father’s name was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, His father was chief of Thembus, and he passed away when Mandela was young.
What a brilliant quote is this of Mandela for education: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Mandela was the first member of his family who receive a formal education. He got his primary education from Qunu and went to Healdtown where he did his matriculation in a Wesleyan secondary school. Mandela started studying for his bachelor’s in art at the University College of Fort Hare, but he was expelled because of joining in student protest and unfortunately did not complete his degree. He completed his bachelor’s degree in South Africa. After that, he went back to Fort Hare for further education. Then he began his Law degree at the University of the Witwatersrand but couldn’t complete it, after his imprisonment he again started his LLB at the University of London and did not complete it. Later, Mandela obtained his Law degree through the University of South Africa in the last month of his imprisonment.
Mandela’s Political Journey:
Nelson Mandela joined the ANC (African National Congress) as an activist, a group that strived for the civil rights of non-white people. He formed the Youth League (ANC) with his lifelong friend Oliver Tambos.
In 1948, the government of South Africa introduced a new Rule known as “Apartheid”. Under the new racist law, non-white people couldn’t live with white people, they weren’t allowed to do business and marry, were removed from voter rolls, and even, they weren’t allowed to go anywhere without their identification card, it will not be wrong to say that, this policy limited the freedom of non-white people. Mandela and his ANC Members were the first who take action against the Apartheid Policy. They used different tactics like strikes and protests against racist laws.
Mandela played a significant role in launching a campaign of defiance. He traveled from country to country just to build a strong support system against the opposition. The Campaign was the first organized protest launched in 1952 and the purpose of the campaign was against the apartheid law (non-white people must carry passes when entering the white population). Several People along with Mandela were arrested for violating the curfew and other offenses. Because of his anti-apartheid activism, he became the target of the authorities. In 1952, he was banned, and he was not permitted to travel and speeches. Mandela and several other people were arrested for treason. And went on trial for treason from 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.
After the trial, He lived hidden for several months. Mandela believed armed resistance was the only way to end apartheid. He left the country for military training without permits. But he was arrested on his return. He was charged with leaving the country without a permit and inciting workers to strike and this time he was sentenced to five years, the police found the document related to Mandela’s secret army, and Mandela and his followers were charged with conspiring to overthrow the Government, and Now Mandela and some other members of the ANC were condemned to lifelong imprisonment. He was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town, for a long duration. After being imprisoned for 27 years, he became the most well-known non-white South African leader all around the world. Despite too many difficulties, he stuck to his Determination. People all over the world began supporting Mandela and calling them “Free Nelson Mandela”. Even different countries pressured South Africa to end apartheid. He was released from imprisonment by Mr. F. W. De Klerk who was the president of South Africa in 1990.
He free at last. Mandela was a good public speaker, he used his talent to together people to end apartheid. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with FW De Klerk in 1993. When apartheid ended, in 1994 the first time all non-whites were allowed to vote, this is how Mandela became the first president of South Africa. Mandela makes South Africa a peaceful country where all people of all races and colors live together. In 1999 Nelson Retired as President but continued to help people all around the world, despite that, he worked to make the world peaceful and discrimination-free. He wrote a book called “Long Walk to Freedom” which is all about his journey and how he faced the struggle to fight for equality and peace. Mandela died in 2013. Mandela is truly an icon and symbol of peace. Mandela’s Birthday, 18 July, was officially named “Mandela Day”, making his contribution to freedom and Human rights.
Mandela’s Wives and Children:
Mandela married three times and had 6 children. He Married Evelyn Ntoko Mase. She was a nurse and his first wife. They had 4 children, and one died in infancy. They divorced in 1958.
Mandela wed Winnie Madikizela, a social worker, in 1958. The couple had two daughters. Both of them separated in 1996.
In 1998, he married Graça Machel, the first Education Minister of Mozambique, with whom he remained until he died in 2013.
Valuable Life Lesson to Learn from Nelson Mandela:
The entire life of Mandela teaches many lessons. But here are some most valuable life lessons that everyone must learn from Him:
Never Give Up:
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” Nelson Mandela
This is one of the best and most inspiring quotes of Mandela. If we look at the life of Mandela, his life was full of difficulties. He knew that there would be a lot of difficulties on his way. He faced his all difficulties with courage and never gave up. Mandela succeeded because he simply refused to give up.
However, failure is when you give up, when you give up you will lose the ability to learn new things, so always move forward with your life, and never give up.
Make a Clear Goal:
“It always seems impossible until it’s done”. Nelson Mandela
Mandela was very clear about his Objective, which was to make his country a discrimination-free and peaceful place. He was not only focused on his goals but also took action from time to time to make his vision a reality. When you make a plan or have a goal, don’t wait for the right time to take action. Just take action on them and it will begin moving you towards your achievement. When you do something different; remember that People will always throw stones in your way. What you make, a wall of difficulties, and a bridge of success so, the choice is yours.
Never lose hope:
Mandela’s extraordinary Quotes about Hope: “Remember that Hope is a powerful weapon even when all else is lost”. Nelson Mandela.
Mandela was sentenced to lifelong imprisonment. He never lost hope, he knew very well that time is not always the same, and things always change.
Hope is a powerful thing. It can give us the strength to keep going when things are tough, and it can help us see the light at the end of the tunnel. When we lose hope, So, Never lose hope when bad things happen in life. Just make a new strategy and begin one more time. Mandela once said: “I never lose, I either win or learn”. He has not only said it but also proved it.
Bottom Line:
Since the entire blog is about Nelson Mandela; why should not end it with a few beautiful words of Nelson Mandela?
As per him, “The brave man is not the one who does not feel afraid, but he is the one who conquers that fear”. This is one of Mandela’s remarkable Words. “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace, I believe, I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for eternity.”