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Nelson Mandela: A Man For The Times

Nelson Mandela fought against racial discrimination and apartheid in South Africa. He was imprisoned for 27 years for opposing the racist government but remained determined to create a non-racial democratic society. After his release, Mandela negotiated an end to apartheid and was elected President of South Africa in 1994, becoming the first black head of state in the country's history. He established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help create a more just and peaceful society after the end of apartheid. Mandela dedicated his life to fighting for equality and human rights in South Africa.

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Chloe Chan Wyn Lam
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96 views3 pages

Nelson Mandela: A Man For The Times

Nelson Mandela fought against racial discrimination and apartheid in South Africa. He was imprisoned for 27 years for opposing the racist government but remained determined to create a non-racial democratic society. After his release, Mandela negotiated an end to apartheid and was elected President of South Africa in 1994, becoming the first black head of state in the country's history. He established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help create a more just and peaceful society after the end of apartheid. Mandela dedicated his life to fighting for equality and human rights in South Africa.

Uploaded by

Chloe Chan Wyn Lam
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Nelson Mandela: A Man for the Times

This past century has seen great social change. Many norms and social
structures have undergone various changes, some quite drastic. Human rights,
business practices, social interactions and greatly altered perspectives of the
world were seen. In the midst of all these, there have been a few leaders who
have faced these challenges head-on and brought about some significant positive
changes. From amongst these, one person stands out in particular because of his
ceaseless efforts in overcoming extreme racial politics: Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born on July 18th, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa,
was the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He served as a political
leader and was the first elected black chief of state in a notably free election. He
was key to dismantling the oppressive government and helping in the process of
restoring democracy.

Mandela fought against extreme racial discrimination, or apartheid as it was


called in South Africa. Before his release from prison in 1990, South Africa’s
system of apartheid had segregated Black and White citizens. While the White
citizens had strong political power, Blacks did not have the right to vote, enabling
an all-white government. Furthermore, they were forced to live separately from
whites and used separate facilities. Apartheid in South Africa had affected the
South African citizens in many negative ways.

Despite spending over 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela succeeded in helping


to break down the system of apartheid in South Africa. His accomplishments led
to a new beginning in South Africa, to a peaceful country without racial
discrimination.
Not everybody realizes it, but Mandela’s achievements and success in taking
apart the apartheid have greatly influenced global perspectives. He established
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to provide a peaceful environment
against abuse of human rights. In many ways, his actions have even affected more
modern and current crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and recent protests
regarding human rights. Mandela proved that not only are there more effective
and efficient methods to solve disputes but that there are also more peaceful
ways to do so.

Nelson Mandela has had many impacts on the world but what about himself?
What made him fight for the freedom of South Africa? Growing up, Mandela
learnt of the racial discrimination in his country and being a non-white himself,
experienced it when he tried to help end discrimination and fight for equality. In
1962, he was imprisoned in Robben Island Prison for conspiring to overthrow the
state after he opposed the all-white government. His 27 years of prison were split
between Robben Island Prison, Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison.

However, even after spending 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela did not lose
his will to fight for the freedom of South Africa. He believed that not only was he
fighting against apartheid, but that he was also fighting for a better world; a world
where nobody had more or less rights based on their race; a world where
everyone, no matter their skin colour or appearance, was respected. "Prison - far
from breaking our spirits - made us more determined to continue with this battle
until victory was won."

After he was released from prison in 1990, Nelson Mandela continued to fight
for South Africa’s freedom. He was released by President F.W. de Klerk, who was
growing fearful of racial civil war. Shortly after his release, they negotiated and
agreed to ending apartheid. Mandela was then elected deputy president of the
ANC and in 1991, became the president of South Africa.
On 5 December 2013, age 95, Nelson Mandela passed away from a respiratory
infection. Nevertheless, he will be remembered by the world as the Father of
South Africa for his dignity, grace, leadership and unyielding faith. He has inspired
the world with his life, dedicated to fighting for peace and equality, and left us
lessons about dedication, courage, leadership and passion. He was a hero, the
savior of South Africa; he was a man for the times: Nelson Mandela.

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