One Man, One Country
By: Meg Scheibel
After years of fighting social constraints and oppressive government control, one man was able to lead a country out of an era of suppression and towards a unified nation. South Africa now stands as a proud reminder of his triumph.
"Your freedom, your democracy, is his cherished legacy," said President Obama.
Nelson Mandela, liberator of the South African nation, died this week at the age of 95 due to a recurring lung infection. But the world will never forget the influence he has had not just on South Africa, but on humanity across the globe.
"He was a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration," said United Nations Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon.
Mandela played an active role in the demise of the Apartheid era and creation of a democratic one. Apartheid marks a time of white rule that aimed to maintain racial separation. Since joining the African National Congress(ANC) in the 1940's, Mandela had fought to create an equal nation for all. He proved to be a real inspiration and played a strong part in bringing down Apartheid.
But dismantling the predominately white and racist African National Party was only the beginning of Mandela's struggle. From there on, he was in pursuit of something greater than just freedom, he wanted peace and understanding between his people. They may be free but they were not one.
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others," said Mandela.
Mandela advocated forgiveness and reconciliation. He wanted to teach that holding resentment will only lead to more fighting, it will not fix anything. He explained that the Africani were no longer enemies but fellow citizens. It was time differences between the white party and black party were settled. It's a new era, an era to forgive and heal.
"It's nice to see South Africa moving away from all the confrontation," said middle school teacher Julia Ryan. "Maybe other African countries will begin making closer steps towards a more stable state."
Mandela was prepped for greatness since he was a young boy. On July 18, 1918, Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in Mvezo, Transkei. His father, Nkosi Mandela was the chief of Mvezo. He died when Nelson was twelve years old leaving Mandela to become entrusted to the the paramount chief of Thembu, Jongintaba Dalindyebo.
After acquiring a B.A. degree form the University of South Africa, he began to attend ANC meetings, to which he later co-founded the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). It was then that he began work in the Defiance Campaign, one of the largest-scale non-violent resistances seen in South Africa. Mandela advocated for peaceful change. He did not want to stoop to a lesser level like the white supremacy.
When the ANC was banned in the 1960's Mandela left Africa looking to gain support for the ANC. He returned in 1962 but was arrested under convictions of incitement and thrown in jail for a five year sentence. Times became bleak while he was incarcerated, but Mandela harnessed the hatred he had for racial inequality and it drove him to overcome.
After being released form prison in 1990, Mandela was elected as President of the ANC. Four years later after leading his organization out of the darkness, Mandela was elected by parliament as the first president of a democratic South Africa. Years of racial inequality were finally at an end.
"It'll be pretty cool to see what South Africa will be like in twenty years, " said political science major Zack Harper. "I'm sure we'll see dramatic but positive changes for the country."
Mandela has accomplished many things throughout his career. In 1993, just before taking office, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to honor his work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa.
He has established foundations such as the Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund, which aims to change the way society treats the youth of the nation. The organization aims to establish fundamental rights that give a voice and dignity to every African child.
He also created the Nelson Mandela foundation which centers itself around a wide range of work. It had provides charitable work such as AIDs research, building schools and promoting education, promoting peace and reconciliation interventions and much, much more.
In remembrance of his success, the United Nations has declared Mandela's birthday, July 18, as Nelson Mandela International Day. It honors the 67 years Mandela served humanity as a peacemaker and human rights activist. It poses as a day to commemorate the past, present and future of Mandela's work.
"Your freedom, your democracy, is his cherished legacy," said President Obama.
 |
| Nelson Mandela with his counries colors flying behind him. Photo credit: www.sabco-uae.org |
"He was a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration," said United Nations Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon.
Mandela played an active role in the demise of the Apartheid era and creation of a democratic one. Apartheid marks a time of white rule that aimed to maintain racial separation. Since joining the African National Congress(ANC) in the 1940's, Mandela had fought to create an equal nation for all. He proved to be a real inspiration and played a strong part in bringing down Apartheid.
But dismantling the predominately white and racist African National Party was only the beginning of Mandela's struggle. From there on, he was in pursuit of something greater than just freedom, he wanted peace and understanding between his people. They may be free but they were not one.
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others," said Mandela.
Mandela advocated forgiveness and reconciliation. He wanted to teach that holding resentment will only lead to more fighting, it will not fix anything. He explained that the Africani were no longer enemies but fellow citizens. It was time differences between the white party and black party were settled. It's a new era, an era to forgive and heal.
"It's nice to see South Africa moving away from all the confrontation," said middle school teacher Julia Ryan. "Maybe other African countries will begin making closer steps towards a more stable state."
 |
| A young Nelson Mandela. Photo credit: www.theeducation post.org |
After acquiring a B.A. degree form the University of South Africa, he began to attend ANC meetings, to which he later co-founded the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). It was then that he began work in the Defiance Campaign, one of the largest-scale non-violent resistances seen in South Africa. Mandela advocated for peaceful change. He did not want to stoop to a lesser level like the white supremacy.
When the ANC was banned in the 1960's Mandela left Africa looking to gain support for the ANC. He returned in 1962 but was arrested under convictions of incitement and thrown in jail for a five year sentence. Times became bleak while he was incarcerated, but Mandela harnessed the hatred he had for racial inequality and it drove him to overcome.
 |
| Nelson Mandela at his presidential inauguration. Photo credit: www.theguardian.com |
"It'll be pretty cool to see what South Africa will be like in twenty years, " said political science major Zack Harper. "I'm sure we'll see dramatic but positive changes for the country."
Mandela has accomplished many things throughout his career. In 1993, just before taking office, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to honor his work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa.
He has established foundations such as the Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund, which aims to change the way society treats the youth of the nation. The organization aims to establish fundamental rights that give a voice and dignity to every African child.
He also created the Nelson Mandela foundation which centers itself around a wide range of work. It had provides charitable work such as AIDs research, building schools and promoting education, promoting peace and reconciliation interventions and much, much more.
 |
| Mandela at a benefit for the Mandela Children's Fund Photo credit: www.huffingtonpost.com |
Mandela's greatest achievement is not so much the fact that he freed South Africa from white rule , but more so the fact that one man alone had enough heart and drive to change not just his nation but the human race around the globe. He was able to bring together divided people and turn them from mortal enemies to people who live peacefully among one another. Not only does South Africa look to Mandela as one of the greatest inspirational leaders of the time, but the world will see him as a man who accomplished the impossible. Thanks to Mandela, South Africa has evolved form a country that works against each other to a nation that works alongside each other. His efforts to change the world will never be forgotten.
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