Download - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
1918-?
A Review of ApartheidApartheid=separateness;
legalized racial separationIntroduced by the Dutch
colonial settlers in 1948; Dutch came to South Africa because of gold and diamonds
Reduced the native population to little more than slaves
Afrikaner National PartyCreated in 1940sAsserted economic control and
social control over blacksInvented apartheid to maintain
control
ApartheidProtest was outlawed; anyone
organizing a demonstration or speaking against apartheid would be detained, tortured, imprisoned, or murdered
Black people were not permitted to travel or live where they would like; often forced to live in undesirable parts of the country
Mandela ChildhoodBorn July 18, 1918 in a
small village to a Xhosa-speaking tribe
Named Rolihlahla (“troublemaker”)
Descendant of tribe royalty
Education and Early Career
Attended Methodist missionary schools where he was renamed “Nelson” by his English teachers
Enrolled at University of Fort Hare in 1938; expelled for political activism
Worked at a law firm in JohannesburgStudied law at University of Witwatersrand;
opened first black African legal practice in 1952
Joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944
Treason Trial156 nationalists arrested
December 5, 1956, including Mandela (nonviolence inspired by Mahatma Ghandi)
Members of anti-apartheid organizations
Punishable by deathAcquitted in March 1961
Sharpeville MassacreANC was committed to non-violent protest until
the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960Sharpeville Massacre occurred on March 21,
1960Police opened fire on blacks demonstrating
against the policies of the National Party of government
69 people were killed for expressing their opinion
Co founder and president of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed division of ANC (Spear of the Nation or MK)
Turn to Militant ActivismAccording to Mandela, the Sharpeville
Massacre forced the ANC to resort to violence themselves.
The ANC started to blow up railway lines and other economic targets.
1962—Mandela arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges
“I am Prepared to Die”Delivered four hour statement“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.”
Sentenced to life imprisonment plus five years
ImprisonmentGained local and international support
who pressured South Africa for his releaseHidden from media and moved several
timesOffered freedom in 1976 in exchange for
withdrawing from political activismHe refused this offer and subsequent
offers
ImprisonmentPerformed hard
labor in a lime quarry
Allowed one letter and one visitor every 6 months
Soweto MassacreYoung people had been forced to learn
Afrikaans in school, the language of the Dutch settlers. They were not allowed to speak or learn in their own language.
On March 21, 1976, school children protested the right to be taught in their own language.
They were shot by police. 69 school kids died.
Mandela was serving time in prison for “terrorist” activities.
Release from PrisonFrederick Willem de Klerk
became president in 1989De Klerk lifted ban on all
political partiesReleased all political
prisoners not guilty of violent crimes
February 11, 1990, Mandela was released
Served 27 years in prison, many in Robben Island
End of ApartheidMandela became
president of ANCInvolved in the
Convention for Democratic South Africa in 1991 with de Klerk
Jointly awarded Nobel Peace Prize in December 1993 for work
President of South AfricaFirst multi-racial election in South
African in April 1994First South African president elected
in a fully representative democratic electionANC won by 62%Mandela became President of
South Africa
PresidencyAimed to improve social
and economic conditions for the black majority
Legislation to protect workers—workplace safety, overtime pay, minimum wage
Improved living standards and provided better housing and education
ReconciliationAs president, he gave priority to
reconciliation Encouraged black South Africans to
back the Springboks, the previously hated South African rugby team
Introduced policies to combat poverty and inequality
Known as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name, in South Africa
RetirementDecided not to run for reelection in 1999Retired from public life in 2004Committed to fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic
(son Makgatho Mandela died of AIDS on January 6, 2005)
“ We have at last achieved ourpolitical emancipation. We pledgeourselves to liberate all our peoplefrom the continuing bondage ofpoverty, deprivation, suffering,gender, and other discrimination. . . Never, never, and never againshall it be that this beautiful landwill again experience theoppression of one by another. . .Let freedom reign.”