Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela example essay topic

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Trans kei, Africa on July 18th, 1918. His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tem bu Tribe. After his father's death, Nelson became the Chief's ward. However, he was influenced by the cases that came to the Chief's court and was determined to become a lawyer.

He was also interested in the stories of his ancestors during the wars of resistance of their land. He wanted to make his own contribution to the freedom of struggle for his people. After receiving a primary education at a local mission school, Mandela headed to Heald town Methodist Boarding School, a Wesleyan secondary school. He then enrolled into the University of Fort Hare for the Bachelor of Arts Degree where he was elected into the Student's Representative Council. He was suspended from college for joining in a protest boycott. He then went to Johannesburg where he completed his BA.

He entered in politics while at Johannesburg by joining the African National Congress in 1944. At the height of World War II, Nelson joined a small group of young Africans that consisted of about 60 members. They set themselves at the task of transforming the ANC in a mass movement. Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC.

In 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those members who wanted to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years in prison with hard labor. In 1963, when many of Umkhonto and ANC members were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand on trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. On June 12, 1964, Mandela and 8 other accused members were sentenced to life in prison. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at the Robben Island Prison.

Then in 1982 he was transferred to Polls moor Prison until 1990, when he was released. During his years in prison, Mandela's reputation grew. He was accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom. After Mandela was released on February 11, 1990, he strived to attain his goals he and the others had set before. At the first national conference of the ANC in 1991, Mandela was elected president.

Mandela has many different honorary degrees from over 50 international universities and is chancellor of the University of the North. He was inaugurated as the first democratically elected State President of South Africa on May 10, 1994 to June 1999. He retired from public life in June 1999. He also received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

He was honored for his work to end apartheid and to enable to country's non-whites to fully participate in the South African government.