Kimberlyna Vo

Ms. Lightner
January 29, 2015
7th ELA- 5th period

Nelson Mandela
People may think that Nelson Mandela simply talked his countrys way to freedom.
Though, that isnt quite true. He sacrificed a lot for his country, so much that he might still even
have regrets. It was never his intention but it was as if he forgot what he already had. Instead he
focused on what he wanted.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Rolihlahla standing for troublemaker) was acknowledged
by his clan as Madiba. (www.biography.com) A term used as a sign of respect and affection,
Nelson Mandela lived a carefree life during his time in his home village. He was born on July
18, 1918 in Qunu, Transkei, South Africa (www.nelsonmandela.org). His mother was
Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, principal
counselor to the Acting King of the Thimbu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo. In 1930, when he
was 12 years old, his father died and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba
Dalindyebo at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni. Hearing the elders stories of his ancestors
valor during the wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the
freedom struggle of his people.
Nelson Mandela was a student as a young man, leading strikes as For Hare University.
(www.biography.com) He was an active student as a young man, leading strikes at Fort Hare
University before starting the Youth League of the African National Congress (ANC) with other
students activists in 1933. Nelson Mandela became active in the campaign to end apartheid in
South Africa, advocating civil disobedience to draw attention to this unjust system of statesponsored segregation and discrimination. In March 1960 the Sharpeville Massacre brought
the struggle against apartheid into the international spotlight. Nelson Mandela was sentenced
to life in prison in 1964 for his political activities. He sacrificed everything for his people. Since
he sacrificed everything for his people, he was ripped away from his family.
(www.nelsonmandela.com) In 1990, the government ended its censorship of the media
and freed its political prisoners. One of those freed was Nelson Mandela, and anti-apartheid
freedom fighter who had been arrested in 1962. Nelson Mandela used his nonviolence ways to
free his people. He was smart and brave, but also brave and reckless. 27 years of imprisonment
made Nelson Mandela a rallying point for other anti-apartheid freedom fighters across the
world. The newly-free South African fighters elected Nelson Mandela president on April 27,

1994 Because of him and many other freedom fighters, South Africa is now a free and equal
country.
Nelson Mandela sacrificed a lot for his people. Its amazing how he was able to continue
on even after everything he went through. He never gave up. In my opinion, that was the most
honorable thing he done.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Nelson Mandela's Birthday and Biography: A Timeline of Events biography.com
Web. 2 January 2015.
http://www.biography.com/news/nelson-mandelas-birthday-and-biography-a-timeline-ofevents-20881773
2. Biography of Nelson Mandela nelsonmandela.org
Web. 2 January 2015.
https://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography
3. Apartheid BrainPOP.com
Web. 2 January 2015.
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/worldhistory/apartheid/ (For giving me more
information about apartheid.)