Nelson Mandela: A Short Biography

Nelson Mandela is probably one of the most famous persons of this century. Everybody seems to know the name, but do they know the real background. In this short summary his biographical is summarized as a tribute to this great man.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is judged to be one of the greatest political leaders of modern times. Among his many accomplishments are the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa and establishing democracy there and becoming the president of South Africa in 1994 following their first multiracial elections.

He grew up in the valley Qunu that is surrounded by hills that are covered with grass. Nelson Mandela was the youngest out of four kids. He had three sisters and none brothers. He looked after the cattle and sheep. He would help plow the field when it was time and helped his farther do chores. When the chores were done he would hunt, play soccer, or fight with sticks. He would listen to elders talk about African history.

Nelson's farther was the chief counselor to the Paramount chief of the tribe called the Thembu. His great grand-farther had been King of the same tribe years ago. The farther of Nelson Mandela died when Nelson was twelve. When his farther died his uncle, the Thembu chief, adopted Nelson Mandela as their foster son.

He was raised in a traditional African tribal culture during a time that apartheid, a powerful system of black oppression, existed in South Africa .

After years as a poor student and law clerk in Johannesburg , he assumed an important role in the African National Congress (ANC), a civil rights group. He helped to form the ANC Youth League in the 1950's. He was accused of treason in 1956 but was acquitted in 1961.

From 1960-1962 Mandela led the ANC's para military wing known as "Umkhonto we Sizwe" which translate to "Spear of the Nation." He was arrested in August of 1962, sentenced to five years in prison and while incarcerated was again convicted of sabotage and treason and was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 1964 at the famous Rivonia Trials.

During his twenty-seven years in prison, Nelson Mandela became a symbol of resistance to the white-dominated country of South Africa throughout the world. His imprisonment was a major factor that led to the democratization of South Africa in later years.

After complex negotiation and the lifting of the long ban on the ANC, Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison by President F.W. de Klerk in February 1990. Mandela's release from prison marked the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa when he once again became the head of the ANC.

He began the process to from a new constitution in South Africa which would allow political power to the black majority. Finally, in 1991 the South African government repealed the laws that had upheld apartheid.

In May, 1994 Nelson Mandela became South Africa 's first black president after the country's first multiracial elections were held. His goal was to provide for economic and social growth for the black majority that had been oppressed for so long by the system of apartheid.

Nelson Mandela continues to inspire people everywhere. He is viewed as a vital force in the fight for human rights and racial equality. He stands for the triumph of dignity and hope over despair and hatred and of love over persecution and hatred. Even at his current old age he still remains a major political figure in South Africa where he enjoys his more than twenty-one grandchildren and at least three great-grandchildren.

To millions of people around the world, Nelson Mandela stands, as no other living figure does, for the triumph of dignity and hope over despair and hatred, of self-discipline and love over persecution and evil. His "Long Walk to Freedom", which is also the title of his autobiography, embodies the spirit of overcoming obstacles that may look insurmountable under normal circumstances. Mandela is most noted for his roles as a peace maker and an activist on the fight for equality. To the people of his beloved country he is lovingly known as Madiba.

© Carl Marx