Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa is possibly one of the greatest men who ever lived. He will be remember for putting an end to apartheid. As the man who protested against racism or the president of South Africa, he really made a change in the world.
In 1918 July 18th, Nelson Mandela was born but he was actually named Rolihlahla Mandela. As a child, Nelson would actually be considered lucky, seeing that he was black. He attended a primary school near Qunu, where he was nicknamed Nelson by his teacher. Then at the age of 16, he went to Clarkebury Boarding Institute in Engcobo.
Then he enrolled at the University College of Fort Hare, in Alice. But unfortunately got expelled one year later because he played a role in a student strike. In 1942, he joined the African National Congress, he was South Africa's main campaigner for black equality.
Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1956 and joined 155 others on trial for treason. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison after he left the country without a passport. In 1963 along with other leaders of the ANC, Nelson was put on a trial for apparently being involved in planning armed action and a conspiracy to help other countries invade South Africa and to overthrow the system, the apartheid. Found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, Mandela only spent 18 years on Robben Island Prison.
After 27 years in jail, Nelson was finally released in 1990. Literally hours after his release, he promised to end apartheid once and for all in front of a crowd. Nelson was elected on April 27, 1994 and was sworn in as South Africa’s first democratically elected president.
In the later years of his life, Nelson was admitted and discharged out of hospital many times and his most of his children died. He also published hundreds of books and lived 95 years until dying recently on December the 6th 2013.
Nelson Mandela will FOREVER be remembered for his legacy and the message he sent out to us during his life. I reckon his message was we are all equal, no matter what colour, sex, culture or whatever you may be, we are all the same. :)
Gloria
ReplyDeleteThats a fantastic summary of Nelson Mandela and the struggles that he went through. That time that he spent in prison was obvioulsy a very important time in his life and he made a stand to ensure that he stood up for what he believed in no matter what the consequence was, so he was very brave to do that.
Its amazing the impact that he has had in his life and I think that you wrote a great piece of writing that describes him and his importance and involvement.
Mr Webb and Room Five, Melville Intermediate School, Hamilton, Waikato.
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