Year Seven Nelson Mandela By Matthew Parker

The Biography of Nelson Mandela

In 1918, a Freedom Peace Fighter was born, Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter who won white elections, collected a Peace Prize, went to jail, became President of South Africa and has a Fund in his name.

Nelson Mandela was born on the 18th July in 1918. He was born in a village near Umtata in the Transkei, South Africa. He lived and grew up in Qunu, Transkei, South Africa.

Nelson Mandela’s father Henry Mgadla Mandela was the chief councillor to Thembuland’s acting paramount chief David Dalindyebo.

Ever since Nelson Mandela was young he had an interest in music. He finds music very uplifting. He takes keen interest not only in European Classical music but also in African Choral music and the many talents in South African music.

Nelson Mandela received a Primary Education in the 1940’s. He was later sent to the famous Healdtown Wesleyan Secondary School. He then enrolled at the University College of Fort Hare for the Banchelor of Arts Degree where he was elected onto the Students Representative Council. He was suspended from College for joining the protest boycott about aparthied He went to Johannesburg where he completed his BA by correspondence and commenced study for his LLB.

He entered politics by joining the African National Congress (ANC). In September 1994 Nelson Mandela, William Nkomo, Walter Sisulu, Oliver R. Tambo and Ashley P. (who were all out of the ANC), came to found the African National Congress Youth League, (ANCYL). In 1947 Nelson Mandela was elected Secretaryship of the ANCYL. In 1948 the white elections were won by the National Party on the platform of Aparthied. In 1952 when the ANC launched its campaign for the defence of Unjust Laws, Nelson Mandela was elected National Volunteer-in-Chief.

Also in 1952 Nelson Mandela was given the responsibility to prepare an organisational plan that would enable the leadership of the movement to maintain dynamic contact with its membership who couldn’t attend public meetings. This was called the M-Plan named after Nelson Mandela.

In the early 50’s, Nelson Mandela played an important part in leading the resistance to the Western Areas removals and an introduction of Bartu Education. In 1955 he played a big role in popularising the freedom charter and it was adopted by the congress of the people.

In 1956-61 Nelson Mandela was tried for treason and on top of that the government banned the ANC altogether, for now.

In June 1964 Nelson Mandela was imprisoned by the Government because he was accused of planning to overthrow the Government. He was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison just off Cape Town from 1964-82. Then from 1982-90 he was imprisoned at Pollsmoor Prison. Nelson Mandela felt very sad and lonely but felt God was with him. While in jail he wrote two books one called Mandela and No Easy Walk to Freedom.

In 1990, freedom arrived for Nelson Mandela then in 1991 the Government permitted the ANC to start up again. Almost as soon as it opened back up Nelson Mandela was elected as President of it. In 1993 Nelson Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize for all he had done to get peace between the black and white people and also for trying to get freedom for black people.

From 1994-99 Nelson Mandela was the President of South Africa. Also in 1994 he had a fund named after him called the Nelson Mandela fund.

When Nelson Mandela was in jail he trusted that God would keep him alive and safe in jail and then he would be set free. He became a Christian when fairly young because he grew up in a Christian home so therefore was influenced by his parents.

In June 1999 Nelson Mandela retired from public life and went to live in his birthplace a village near Umtata.

I think that Nelson Mandela is a hero to the South African people and can teach us a lot about living together in harmony.

Written by Matthew P

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