History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
LEARNING FROM LEADERS
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi are examples of great leaders in History. Both men are
respected worldwide as good leaders. Mandela and Gandhi contributed to the fight for
democracy and human rights.
Nelson Mandela
Fact sheet
Born: 18 July 1918, in Transkei, South Africa.
Best known for:
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First black democratically elected President in South Africa.
Protesting against the apartheid government.
Serving 27 years in prison.
Nelson Mandela
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South Africa, The Good News
Nelson Mandela was a civil rights leader in South Africa. A civil rights leader is someone
who fights for the freedom and equality of people. Mandela fought so that non-white citizens
in South Africa had equal rights. He disagreed with the apartheid system, which forced white
and non-white (black, coloured and Asian people) to live in separate areas.
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
White and non-whites had to use separate facilities, for example, a black person had to use a
separate toilet, or go to a black-only school. During apartheid, white people and black people
could not marry. National sports teams were either all white or all black, they were not
allowed to mix. There were also separate churches and cinemas, as well as separate
entrances in shops.
Sign – For Use by White Persons
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Bench for Non-Whites Only
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Sign on Durban Beach
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
Early Life
Nelson Mandela was born into the Xhosa tribe called the Thembu tribe. He was born in a
village called Mvezo in the Eastern Cape. His father was a Chief and an advisor to the
Thembu royal family.
Nelson Mandela attended a Christian Mission School. His father died when he was only 9
years old, so he went to live with his father’s friend, Chief Jogintaba in a nearby village. His
mother still came to visit him and he became best friends with Uncle Jongi’s son, Justice.
He was sent to Clarkebury Boarding Institute when he was 16, and then 3 years later went on
to complete high school at Justice, which was the largest school for Africans in the country.
When he was 21, Nelson Mandela attended Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape. There
he met Oliver Tambo, who would later become part of the struggle.
Nelson and Justice moved to Johannesburg, which was known as ‘Egoli’ or the ‘place of
gold’. He lived in the Alexandra township where the houses had no electricity or water
supply. Justice eventually returned to the Eastern Cape.
In 1942, Nelson qualified in law from the University of Witwatersrand.
The ANC
Nelson Mandela became close friends with Walter Sisulu, who
was a member of the African National Congress (ANC). The
ANC wanted to challenge the apartheid government and create a
democratic South Africa. He met his first wife, Evelyn Mase and
had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Sadly one of his daughters died and
he split up with Evelyn.
In 1944, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu formed the ANC
Youth League and encouraged thousands of young black people to join.
In 1948, the National Party came to power and started to enforce the laws of apartheid. In
1952, the ANC started the ‘Defiance Campaign’ to encourage black people to ignore the
‘Whites Only’ entrances.
The following of the ANC grew and grew, and became stronger. Nelson became Deputy
Minister of the ANC in 1952. The government banned Nelson Mandela from attending ANC
meetings or protesting against apartheid, but he continued in secret.
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
In 1952, Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo set up the first black law firm in South Africa.
Many Indian, Coloured and White people did not agree with apartheid and these groups
joined together to form the Congress Alliance. In 1955, the ANC and the Congress Alliance
drew up the ‘Freedom Charter’, which was a promise to fight for freedom and democracy,
for all South Africans.
The Freedom Charter
„„We the people of South Africa, declare for all our country and the world to know that
South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black or white ...”.
Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo were arrested and charged with planning
to destroy the government. The trial lasted 4 years, but they were found not guilty.
Nelson Mandela married Winnie in 1958 and they had two daughters.
After the Sharpville shooting in 1960, where 69 people were shot by police and 400 injured,
while peacefully marching against carrying passbooks, the ANC was banned.
Nelson Mandela went abroad to ask other countries to help fight against apartheid. The ANC
formed an army called ‘Umkhonto We Sizwe’ or‘Spear of the Nation’.
Imprisonment
When he returned to South Africa, Nelson went into hiding but was caught and arrested in
1962. He was sent to prison for 5 years.
During this time, he had to stand trial again for planning to overthrow the government.
In his trial, Nelson said: “I have cherished the idea of a democracy in which all persons live
together in harmony. It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
In 1964 he was sentenced to 27 years in prison on Robben Island, off the coast of Cape
Town. He had a tiny cell with a bucket for a toilet and had to sleep on the floor. He was
allowed only 2 letters and 2 visitors a year and no other contact with the outside world.
During this time, his mother and his eldest son died.
Entrance to Robben Island
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Although the ANC was still banned in South Africa, many people all over the world fought
for Nelson Mandela to be released. Many governments supported this cause. In the 1980s a
campaign called ‘Release Mandela’ was started.
„Free Nelson Mandela‟ Protest in Germany
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In 1982, Nelson Mandela and some of the other prisoners were moved to Pollsmoor Prison in
Cape Town.
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
In 1988, he was moved again to a prison called Victor Verster and was given a cottage to live
in, rather than a cell.
Nelson Mandela started talks with the government and he met President F.W. De Klerk in
1989. They discussed a new democratic South Africa.
F.W. De Klerk
Wikimedia Public Domain
Release from Prison and Presidency
Eventually, Mandela was released on 11th February 1990, after serving 27 years in prison.
He was reunited with his family at last.
In 1991, he became the leader of the ANC.
In 1993, Mandela was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. De Klerk.
F.W. De Klerk and Nelson Mandela
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
In 1994, the first democratic elections were held and Nelson Mandela was voted as President
by millions of people. He was 75 years old!
During his time as President (from 1994 to 1999), he helped the country’s transition from
minority rule to majority rule.
The ‘Reconstruction and Development’ (RDP) created jobs, built houses and improved
health care for black people.
In 1996, Nelson and Winnie were divorced.
In 1997, Nelson Mandela stepped down as ANC leader. He married his third wife, Graca
Machel in 1998.
In 1998, Nelson Mandela’s presidency of South Africa came to an end and in 2004 he
announced his retirement from public life. He has supported many charities, through the
Mandela Foundation. His last public appearance was in 2010.
Mandela is a hero to people all over the world. He is respected for his courage, wisdom and
is devoted to his country.
On the 5th December 2013, Nelson Mandela passed away, aged 95. The whole world
mourned the loss of this incredible man.
Fun Facts
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Nelson Mandela’s real name is Rolihlahla (which means ‘trouble-maker’). He was
given the name ‘Nelson’ by one of his teachers.
July 18th is Nelson Mandela Day. People are asked to devote 67 minutes to helping
other people.
The 67 minutes represents the 67 years Mandela spent serving his country.
Mandela received the Noble Peace Prize in 1993.
A statue of Nelson Mandela stands in Parliament Square, London.
Mandela wrote a book about his struggle called ‘Long Walk to Freedom.’ This also
became a film in 2013.
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Nelson Mandela Statue in Parliament Square,
London
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi
Fact sheet
Born:October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India
Best known for:
 Non-violent protests
 Civil rights leader
Mohandas K. Gandhi
Wikimedia Public Domain
Mohandas Gandhi was India’s most important spiritual and political Hindu leader. He
believed in non-violent protests and promoted human rights. Gandhi is an icon of world
peace. Gandhi is often referred to as the ‘Father of the Nation’ in India, as his non-violent
protests freed the Indian people from British rule.
Mohandas K. Gandhi with British
Secretary of State for India
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Indian Servant Washes the Feet of British Master
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Many other civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela were inspired
by Gandhi’s beliefs and actions.
Martin Luther King Jr
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
Early Life
Gandhi grew up with the belief that people should take care of each other, religious tolerance
and compassion for all. At 13, he married a girl called Kasturbhai. The marriage had been
arranged by their parents. They had 4 children. When he was 19 years old, he went to
London to study Law. He returned to India to practise as a lawyer, but was not allowed to
under the British rule. Gandhi then accepted a job in South Africa in 1893.
In South Africa, Gandhi faced discrimination and hardship due to the apartheid system. He
experienced racial prejudice against Indian people. This made him want to fight for equality
and freedom for Indian people. He spent 20 years in South Africa and was put in prison
many times. Gandhi developed a method of action called ‘Satyagraha’. This was based on
the principles of truth, courage and non-violence. He believed that the way people behave is
more important than what they achieve.
Mohandas K. Gandhi
and his Wife Kasturbhai
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Mohandas K. Gandhi
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Gandhi with his Colleagues in Front of
his Law Office in Johannesburg
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
Leader of a Movement
Gandhi returned to India in 1915 to fight for justice and peace.
Gandhi led the fight for Indian independence from British rule. Within 15 years he became
the leader of the Nationalist Movement. He organised non-violent protests, for example large
groups of the Indian population would sit in the streets, refuse to work, go on hunger strikes
and boycott British goods, public transport, courts etc. The aim of the protests was to make
the world realise what was happening in India. When the Indian population refused to work,
it made the country come to a standstill, so the government had to take notice. Gandhi even
walked across India to encourage people not to co-operate with the British.
Protest March Organised by Gandhi
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Gandhi as he led the Striking Indian Mineworkers
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Gandhi During the Zulu Rebellion – 1906
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Gandhi During the Salt March in India
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi was imprisoned many times and spent a total of 7 years in prison. In prison, Gandhi
would go on a hunger strike (not eat food). In 1922, he was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
The British government was worried that this well-loved man would die, so they released him
after 2 years. Gandhi’s fame spread all over the nation.
He withdrew from politics for a while and spent time trying to improve relationships between
Hindus and Muslims.
In 1930, he started a new campaign, protesting against the tax on salt. He led thousands of
people on a ‘March to the Sea’, where they made salt from the seawater.
In 1931, Gandhi represented the Indian National Congress at the Conference in London.
He resigned from the Congress in 1934.
When he was 78, Gandhi started a fast, as a protest against rioting between Hindus and
Muslims. This was caused by India being granted independence from British in 1947.
Gandhi believed that Indian, Muslims and Hindus should be united and live together in peace.
After 5 days of Gandhi’s fast, the Hindu and Muslim leaders promised to put an end to the
fighting, so Gandhi broke his fast.
12 days later, on 30th January 1948, Gandhi was shot dead by a terrorist at a prayer meeting
in Delhi.
Two years later, India became an independent republic.
Gathering at Red Fort in Delhi, India
First Independence, 1947
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Independence Day Celebration at Red Fort in
Delhi, India, 2007
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
Fun Facts
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Gandhi’s birthday is a national holiday in India.
His birthday is celebrated worldwide as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’.
He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times.
‘Mahatma’ is a term that means ‘Great Soul’.
Other Famous Leaders in South Africa
Leaderin the
Arts
Example
Famous For
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba was a local
musician who, through her
music, helped raise support
and awareness about the antiapartheid movement.
Miriam Makeba
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Godefroy
Religious
Leader
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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Desmond Tutu is a religious
and spiritual leader. He
helped fight the apartheid
system, by asking the
Christian community to be
involved in non-violent
movements. He chaired the
‘Truth and Reconciliation
Commission(TRC)’, which
was set up after 1994, to
investigate human rights
abuses that occurred during
apartheid. Desmond Tutu
leads with compassion,
understanding and wisdom.
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History: Grade 4
Learning from Leaders
Life Stories of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
Leader in
Science and
Maths
Example
Famous For
Christiaan Barnard
Chris Barnard was the first
person to transplant a heart
from one human to another.
Chris Barnard was committed
to helping others.
Christiaan Barnard
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Sporting
Leaders
Francois Pienaar
Springbok Rugby Team
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Francois Pienaar was the
South African rugby captain
in 1995. During apartheid,
South Africa was excluded
from playing international
games. After the democratic
elections in 1994, South
Africa was included in
international sporting events.
In 1995, South Africa hosted
the Rugby World Cup.
Francois Pienaar was devoted
to his country and worked
with his team to win the
World Cup.
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