The ANC Centenary 2012
Biography 2: Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela is one of the world’s greatest leaders who has dedicated his
life to replacing apartheid in South Africa with democracy. Once condemned
as a terrorist, he cherished the ideal of a democratic, free and equal society
and spent 27 years in prison to ensure that this was achieved. He became
the country’s first black President in 1994 and was awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize for his extraordinary leadership and achievements in 1993.
Born on 18 July 1918 in a small rural village, his birth name was Rolihlahla
but he was given the name Nelson at the local mission school. His father was
a well respected tribal chief but died when Nelson was only nine. Nelson
worked hard at school, went to university and eventually became a lawyer.
His early politics was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi who said that the best
way to overcome oppression and injustice was to use ‘non-violence, noncooperation.’ In 1944 he formed the youth league of the African National
Congress (ANC) with close friends, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu. They
wanted to transform the ANC into a more radical party which encouraged
ordinary people to resist the unfair laws of apartheid in a non-violent way.
When the National Party came to power in the all-white general election of
1948, he began to advocate boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience. This
culminated in the Defiance Campaign in 1952.
He was arrested and imprisoned for leading the resistance against the Bantu Education Act and the forced removal
of black South Africans from the vibrant, multi-racial Western Areas of the country like Sophiatown. After the ANC
was banned in 1960, he went into hiding and became known as ‘the Black Pimpernel’. Forced to live apart from his
family he took on many disguises including as a labourer, a gardener and a chauffeur!
After the Sharpeville Massacre, he and the other ANC leaders decided that non-violent action was no longer
working against the brutal apartheid regime. They formed the armed wing of the ANC which was known as ‘The
Spear of the Nation.’
“It was only when all else had failed, when all channels of peaceful protest had been barred
to us, that the decision was made to embark on violent forms of political struggle ... the
government had left us no other choice.”
Nelson was arrested for the third time in 1962, after being on the run for more than a year. He was eventually
convicted of sabotage and treason along with seven others in a long trial known as ‘The Rivonia Trial’. Knowing he
could face the death penalty, he, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki decided that, if they were given the death
sentence, they would not appeal. His famous statement to the court became an inspiration to millions around the
world who joined the anti-apartheid movement:
“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.”
Sent to the notorious Robben Island prison, a maximum security prison on a small island near Cape Town, Nelson
Mandela was to spend the next 27 years in prison. During this time people all over the world joined an international
campaign calling for his release. While in prison he gained huge support from people who respected his ideals and
his belief that apartheid must be ended in South Africa. He was offered freedom several times in return for giving up
his beliefs but merely stated:
“Prisoners cannot enter into contracts – only free men can negotiate.”
The ANC Centenary 2012
Nelson Mandela was finally released from jail on 11 February 1990. The era of apartheid finally came to an end on
the 27 April 1994, when he voted for the first time in his life – along with his people, in South Africa’s first multi-racial
elections. He became President after a landslide win. In his generous inauguration speech he said:
“We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world
who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free. Their
dreams have become reality. Freedom is their reward. We are both humbled and elevated
by the honour and privilege that you, the people of South Africa, have bestowed on us, as
the first President of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government.”
The former President has made few public appearances since largely retiring from public life in 2004 at the age of 85.
David Rose/Panos/ActionAid
However, two young people from London were lucky enough to meet him while campaigning for an education for all
the world’s children and are pictured here meeting him in Mozambique in 2005.