In
the small village of Mvezo , in the Transkien territories of South
Africa, the Nelson Mandela bio began on July 18, 1918. He was not born
with the name Nelson, but with his African name Rolihlahla , which
literally means –pulling the branch of a tree, or in it's colloquial
sense 'troublemaker' ( It seems Rohlihlahla Nelson Mandela certainly
lived up to his given name, but in the best of ways).
No
Nelson Mandela history would be complete without knowing who his
parents were. His father was Henry Mgadla Mandela. Mgadla was one of the
main councillors to the acting chief of the Thembu tribe. The Mandela
name itself comes from one of the royal's in the Thembu tribe on
Nelson's grandfather's side. Due to his grandmother's position though,
that branch of the family was unable to succeed the throne. His mother
was Nonqaphi Nosekeni. She was Mgadla's third wife. (Interestingly the
famous Nelson Mandela has also had three wives).
Rohlihlahla's
father died when the boy was nine years old (from tuberculosis). The
Mandela biography continues with the young Mandela coming under the
guardianship of Jongintaba Dalindyebo, who was regent and an heir to
the Thembu throne.
Rohlihlahla
Mandela was the first of his father's family to receive formal
schooling. It was his school teacher Miss Mdingane who gave him the
English name Nelson.
Nelson
Mandela then went on to finish his Junior Certificate from a Wesleyan
school and on to college where he studied for a Bachelor of Arts.
Engaging in a boycott against university policies at the Fort Hare he
was essentially kicked out and the Nelson Mandela story moved on.
Rejecting
an arranged marriage from his guardian (regent Jongintaba) Manela
Rohililaha Nelson escaped to Johannesburg. He completed his degree
through correspondence and eventually became involved in the ANC
(African National Council). From there it seems there was no looking
back.
Once he became
involved in the ANC there was no looking back in the Nelson Mandela
life. Mandela and those who were with him took many actions against the
injustice of apartheid. A system where one's color discriminated so
totally against the basic laws of freedom was unthinkable (just as
slavery) and yet it was a reality.
The
Nelson Mandela bio continues with him becoming the leader of the
African National Councils Umkhonto weSiswe - the armed wing. They
organized protests and sabotages to bring to light the inequality that
was happening throughout South Africa. While Mandela had worked hard to
bring about understanding and change through peaceful methods, military
and government targets were bombed (always with no intention of
physical harm) to get the message across.
In
1962 Nelson Mandela was arrested and sent to prison. Many other ANC
leaders were also arrested at this time. The biography of Nelson
Mandela has much to show of the work he carried out during his
imprisonment. He never gave up the struggle. He wrote many books and his
main place of imprisonment came to be known as a place of learning. A
man of peace, the Nelson Mandela life involves nearly 27 years of
imprisonment. Songs have been written, and praises sung. The call for
freedom was heard around the world.
Under
President de Klerk, Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison in
1990. He returned as the leader of the ANC and fought on for freedom.
Along with deKlerk he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Nelson
Mandela 1994 is elected president of South Africa; A triumph for
equality and a triumph for peace. The world rejoiced in finally seeing a
wrong come right. This does not mean that there is total equality and
peace in South Africa yet. What it does mean is that one man who stands
firm can make a difference for millions. The Nelson Mandela story is
one of hope for all mankind.
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