New Delhi: Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest names in the pantheon of world leaders who have influenced millions of people. He was a anti-apartheid activist and politician in South Africa who was the country’s first President from 1994 to 1999. Also, he was the first black head of state of South Africa and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. Today, on his death anniversary, we will take a look at some interesting facts of his life.
The early life of Nelson Mandela
He was born as Rolihlahla Mandela into the Madiba clan in the Eastern Cape, on July 18, 1918. His father was the principal counsellor to Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the Acting King of the Thembu people. In 1930, he lost his father when he was just 12 years old.
Nelson Mandela and politics
Nelson Mandela studied law at the University of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and worked as a lawyer in Johannesburg. It was there that Mandela got himself involved in anti-colonial and African nationalist politics and in 1944, he joined the African National Congress. Also, he co-founded its Youth League in the same year.
Nelson Mandela and the rise through the ranks
The white-only government of the National Party established apartheid in South Africa and a system of racial segregation came into being which gave all the privileges to the whites. Mandela and ANC decided to change the situation and fully committed themselves to the cause. He became the president of the Transvaal branch of the ANC and rose to prominence for being involved in the Defiance Campaign in 1952 and the Congress of the People in 1955. He was arrested several times for seditious activities and in the 1956 Treason Trial he was unsuccessfully prosecuted.
The long imprisonment of Nelson Mandela
Mandela also joined the banned South African Communist Party after being influenced by Marxism. He was committed to non-violence initially but later co-founded with the SACP the militant uMkhonto we Sizwe in 1961. The militant group led a sabotage campaign against the government. In 1962, he was arrested and imprisoned. On October 9, 1963, Mandela joined 10 others on trial for sabotage in the Rivonia Trial. After the trial, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state.
Becoming the President of South Africa
Mandela spent 27 years in prison and was released in 1990 by President F. W. de Klerk due to international pressure. Both of them tried to end the apartheid, which resulted in the 1994 multiracial general election. Mandela and ANC won in the election and the former became president. He focused on the reconciliation between the racial groups of South Africa and sought to give justice for pas human rights abuses.
Mandela was the President of South Africa till 1999 and is considered an icon of democracy and social justice. He has been awarded with over 250 honours including the Nobel Peace Prize. In South Africa, he is described as the “Father of the Nation”. He passed away on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95.
Nelson Mandela was a anti-apartheid activist and politician in South Africa who was the country’s first President from 1994 to 1999. Also, he was the first black head of state of South Africa. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
