Nelson Mandela 1918 2013 Background Background Born into

Nelson Mandela 1918 -2013

Background

Background • • Born into a royal family Part of the Xhosa Nation Education in Christian schools Went to the Fort Hare University – only black uni Worked as a guard in mines – saw brutal treatment of blacks Met Walter Sisulu, member of the ANC Completed a law degree, met lots of activists

Worked as a lawyer • 1952 – opened first black law firm • With Oliver Tambo • Free or low cost advice • Worked against injustice and apartheid

ANC activist • African National Congress worked against apartheid • Mandela believed non violence was a waste of time • “violence was the only weapon”

Sharpeville Massacre 1961 • Sharpeville was a turning point 69 dead, 180 wounded on peaceful march

Results of Sharpeville massacre • State of emergency • Increased controls • ANC went underground and Mandela led military unit (MK) • Organised acts of sabotage against power stations • AIM: - harm economy and raise national and international awareness of apartheid

Arrest and imprisonment • MK planned large operation • Linked to communists • Cold war fears • International media attention led to no death penalty

Robben Island • • Mandela, Sisulu and Mbeki got life Broke MK Mandela gained international support “I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society an ideal for which I am prepared to die”

Robben Island

1964 -1990 • 12 th June 1964 – sentenced to life in prison • 1982 – Mandela and ANC leaders transferred to Pollsmoor Prison • 11 th February 1990 – Mandela freed after 27 years

Free Mandela • Mandela became the symbol of black south African freedom • Anti apartheid activity occurred world wide • Economic and sporting sanctions were placed on South Africa • During the 1980 s work began to dismantle apartheid • 1 st Universal elections – Mandela President

Mandela President 1994 -1999 • First President of National Unity Government. • Huge problems • Set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission ( Forgiving without Forgetting)

Problems unsolved • Crime, Unemployment, corruption, HIV not solved • BUT kept country on democratic path • Reduced many divisions in society • Laid foundation for democratic peace

Evaluation • Nelson Mandela was a Freedom Fighter ‘helped transform a bitterly divided land led South Africa to freedom and democracy. In doing so, he became a worldwide symbol of the endurance of the human spirit, and of victory over evil’ (Limb) • Mandela changed from organizing terrorist attacks for MK to leading the ANC, and from prisoner to President. This shows us that he changed through out his life