Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in a village near Umtata in the Transkei on the 18 July 1918. His father was the principal councillor to the Acting Paramount Chief of Thembuland. After his father s death, the young Rolihlahla became the Paramount Chief s ward to be groomed to assume high office. However, influenced by the cases that came before the Chief s court, he determined to become a lawyer. Hearing the elders stories of his ancestors valour during the wars of resistance in defence of their fatherland, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.
After receiving a primary education at a local mission school, Nelson Mandela was sent to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary school of some repute where he matriculated. He then enrolled at the University College of Fort Hare for the Bachelor of Arts Degree where he was elected onto the Student's Representative Council. He was suspended from college for joining in a protest boycott. He went to Johannesburg where he completed his BA by correspondence, took articles of clerkship and commenced study for his LLB. He entered politics in earnest while studying in Johannesburg by joining the African National Congress in 1942.
At the height of the Second World War a small group of young Africans, members of the African National Congress, banded together under the leadership of Anton Lembede. Among them were William Nkomo, Walter Sisulu, Oliver R. Tambo, Ashby P. Mda and Nelson Mandela. Starting out with 60 members, all of whom were residing around the Witwatersrand, these young people set themselves the formidable task of transforming the ANC into a mass movement, deriving its strength and motivation from the unlettered millions of working people in the towns and countryside, the peasants in the rural areas and the professionals.
Their chief contention was that the political tactics of the old guard' leadership of the ANC, reared in the tradition of constitutionalism and polite petitioning of the government of the day, were proving inadequate to the tasks of national emancipation. In opposition to the old guard', Lembede and his colleagues espoused a radical African Nationalism grounded in the principle of national self-determination. In September 1944 they came together to found the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).
An amazing man who have done so much for mankind. An example of courage, love and faith.
https://www.anc.org.za/people/mandela.html
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 1089 100%
The thing that amazes me the most about Nelson is his humble attitude even when coming into power. Instead of making life difficult for those who persecuted him, he instead tried to make peace.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
Rich must feed the poor? What do you think?
QUOTE (CNN) |
LONDON, England (CNN) -- A frail Nelson Mandela told thousands gathered in London's Trafalgar Square Thursday that the world must do a better job of eliminating poverty. Mandela, former South African president and former prisoner of that country's apartheid government, called for trade justice, an end to rising debts for the poorest countries, and more and higher-quality aid. "Where poverty exists, there is not true freedom," said Mandela, who wore a white strip of cloth around his wrist. "The world is hungry for action, not words. I am proud to wear the symbol of this global cause to action." Walking with a stick and wrapped in a black coat and brown fur hat, Mandela made an impassioned speech in front of South Africa House, for decades a symbol of apartheid... More... |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 1089 100%
Mandela joins stars at London gig
Nelson Mandela joined music stars on stage at a concert in central London celebrating his 90th birthday.
Ref. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7475717.stm
Mandela celebrates 90th birthday
Nelson Mandela, the man who was instrumental in ending apartheid in South Africa, celebrates his 90th birthday.
Ref. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7513047.stm
Nelson Mandela (Hover)
Today in History: 1990: Freedom for Nelson Mandela - Leading anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela has been freed from prison in South Africa after 27 years.