Tribute to Nelson Mandela—Know Everything About His Life

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Many courageous individuals fought, sacrificed, and stood up against oppression for the benefit of the people. A few names that come to my mind are Mohandas Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Charles de Gaulle, Jack Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela. For many people, in many lands, the most inspirational personality and leader out of these would be the last, who died on December 5th, 2013, aged 95. He was none other than the first Black president, Nelson Mandela, a man who freed South Africa from the system of segregation. He was someone who was known as a freedom fighter, a prisoner, and a peacemaker. Mandela remained a symbol of defiance and hope for many people. This blog post from the experts of All Assignment Help highlights all the key movements and takeaways of Nelson Mandela. The piece is also a tribute to Nelson Mandela.

Who Was Nelson Mandela?

Today, Mandela is rightly honored as a hero, and the anti-apartheid campaign he led is celebrated as having ended an appalling injustice. But for most of history, the racist beliefs against which he fought were almost universally accepted in white societies. In the broader sweep of history, Mandela will be remembered for helping to bring an end to the belief that people are inferior because of the color of their skin. To paraphrase Martin Luther King, Mandela was a great person—a Black person who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization. He will always be remembered as a person with a heart for humanity.

Nelson Mandela was a political leader. He was the first Black president to participate in the South African anti-apartheid revolution. Nelson Mandela is a name by which we all know him. We admire him for his struggle against racial oppression. But his real name was Rolihlahla Mandela? His father was Nonqaphi Nosekeni, principal counselor. He was someone who always wanted to do something for these people and made contributions towards the freedom struggles.

‘Nelson’ is a name given to him during his school days by Miss Mdingane as per the Christian custom. The life of Nelson Mandela was nothing less than a roller coaster ride.
Talking about his primary education, he attended a primary school in Qunu.
He went to Wesleyan Secondary School.
He did a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare. However, he was suspended from his first year of studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree for joining a student protest. When the king of his community warned him and asked him to return to his school. He ran away to Johannesburg, where he worked as a mine security officer. Somehow, he managed to complete his BA at the University of South Africa.
Mandela had no degree in law, and to bring about some changes in society’s norms, he had to seek help from the law. So he decided to take a two-year diploma in law. This diploma enabled him to practice law and establish South Africa’s first Black law firm.

With these, one thing is clear: Nelson Mandela was someone who was very serious about his education. He was someone who never quit despite the difficulties. Despite facing academic interruptions, his education remained unshaken. His journey is more than just being history. He was an inspiring persona and a vital subject for any academic exploration. His life history has been an important topic of discussion for students from history and related backgrounds. By opting to learn history, you can learn more about his life and his lessons to people. Moreover, if you’re facing tight deadlines, opting for professional history homework help can be a wise idea. Online experts can ensure your work is both informative and accurate with a good grade guarantee.

How Nelson Mandela Entered Politics

Nelson Mandela is one of the famous names in politics. Are you interested in knowing about his political career and how he became the first Black president? Here is a detailed breakdown of it for you.

As we discussed above, Nelson Mandela moved to Johannesburg to study law in the early 1940s. This was the beginning of his political career. During his college days, he was exposed to the harsh realities of racial segregation. There, he closely witnessed the daily injustices faced by Black South Africans. This awakened his political consciousness and made him do something for his people.
After his graduation, while working as a law clerk, he joined the African National Congress (ANC).
In 1944, he co-founded the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) with Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo. It was a party with new ideas and fresh leadership. The main purpose of this league was to promote African nationalism and encourage militant activism.
His commitment to justice and mass campaigns made him famous.
The Defiance Campaign in 1952 and the Freedom Charter in 1955 were some of the important political movements of his political career.
The treason trial of 1964 was also an important part of this politics.
He was almost 27 years in jail when finally released on February 11, 1990. Looking at his imprisonment. He was 18 years in Robben Island prison between 1964 to 1982. Six years in Pollsmoor Prison between 1982 to 1988. Two years in Victor Verster Prison between 1988 to 1990. He never wasted his time in jail; rather, he studied, reflected, and prepared for a peaceful transition of power.
His return from prison marked his reentry into politics in 1990. After this, he participated in the first multiracial democratic elections in April 1994. He made sure that everyone voted without any discrimination based on their race or color. By securing 62% of the vote, he became the first Black president of South Africa in 1994.
In his five years as president, from 1994 to 1999, he mainly focused on the reconciliation between Black and white South Africans. He marked the end of apartheid.
He never competed for a second time as president, as he believed in setting a positive example for future leaders. He was the first president who demonstrated that leadership is a responsibility, not a lifelong entitlement. Mandela was a person who believed in allowing new leadership to grow.
Nelson Mandela always believed in the transition to new leadership. He gave the opportunity to his successor, Thabo Mbeki.
He never retired from politics. He continued to work and founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 1999. Nelson Mandela also founded the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in 2003.

The political career of Nelson Mandela is one of the important topics of assignments and essays. Especially if you are a student from a history or arts background, you will be asked to discuss the political career of Nelson Mandela in detail. Students struggling to write about such pivotal political events or figures in their homework can seek assignment help. The professional assignment helpers can craft the best assignment for you. With their assistance, you can understand these moments and grasp the foundations of modern democracy and civil rights.

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Important Life Lessons From Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela has left us a legacy of forgiveness, reconciliation, and his pledge for freedom for everybody, no matter their race or color. Mr. Mandela has walked a long road and now stands at the top of the hill. A traveler would sit down and admire the view. But a man of destiny knows that beyond this hill lies another and another. The journey is never complete.” F.W. de Klerk referring to Nelson Mandela. Both were 1993 Nobel Peace Laureates who South Africans owe nobility and ambition to push their beloved nation forward.

Here are some precious lessons from the leader’s life that you can incorporate into yours if you crave to see a decisive transformation.

Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do

“Do not judge me by my success; judge me by how many times I fell and got back up again.” _____ Nelson Mandela

Anyone who wants to achieve great results must make their own journey through obscurity and uncertainty towards the ray of hope. If you discover a purpose worth fighting for, you grow passionate, and passion helps fuel the flames of determination.

Against the policies of his country’s apartheid government, Mandela commenced a non-violent action. It was the reason that steered him to jail for 27 years. He got out and became South Africa’s first-ever Black president. Mandela’s road to building change came with gigantic barriers, but he never gave up.

Uncover the Philosophy of Compromise

“You must not compromise your principle, but you mustn’t humiliate the opposition. No one is more dangerous than the one who is humiliated. ____ Mandela”

Negotiation is a discussion where people resolve their differences, intending to reach an agreement. In the hunt for your goals, you are going to face opposition. Your ability to negotiate to reach a win-win situation for all parties will take you further in your life.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then the enemy becomes your partner. This is the principle of Mandela on which he worked.

Generally, we assume today’s generation does not have the ability to compromise; they do not want to stay behind in any manner, so they want to win every battle or argument. This is the reason why people do not settle their differences, and the bridge of views expands among them.

Also Read: Equality in Education

Courageous People Do Not Fear Forgiveness for the Sake of Peace

“Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”

Mandela followed the non-violent path. He also taught people the art of forgiveness, and he showed his kindness with one move. Mr. Mandela made the first move in forgiveness by learning Afrikaans in prison. When he became president, he encouraged Black South Africans to support the white-dominated national rugby team, the Springboks. As South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Mandela wore the t-shirt at the final against New Zealand. Mandela presented the trophy to the Springbrook team after they won the match. This was the first major step taken by him to reconcile white and Black Africans. With this move, Mandela won the hearts of millions of white rugby fans.

So, learning to forgive and move on is not a sign of weakness but rather of courage.

Education is the Key to Success in the Future

“Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela gave importance to education and advised students to do the same. His educational career was not smooth. Despite this, he continued his education. Completed a Bachelor of Arts and also did a diploma in law. He even continued to learn during prison. He emphasized that education is your foundation for a better future.

Students of today’s generation must follow this lesson in their lives. Start prioritizing your learning over anything. Try to continue your studies. If you can’t continue through traditional classrooms. You can enroll in an online degree. To increase your academic grades in online classes, you can also seek online class help. Whatever you do, make sure you complete your education.

Grow as an Unconquerable Soul

While facing the death penalty, his words to the court at the end of his famous “ speech from the dock” on 20th April 1964 became immortalized.

“ I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against Black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is the ideal that I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

After this speech, Mandela became more famous and won millions of hearts. But the credulity level of white officers increased more. They did not allow him to go to the funeral of his mother and sentenced him to the death penalty.

Do Not Live Without an Aim

“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” – Nelson Mandela

Mandela always said, Do not live without any aim; live purposefully. But now people have changed their view of living; they think life is all about owning expensive things. Their life revolves around materialistic things. There is more to life. You do not need to spend it on things that do not serve your purpose and values.

Make your life purposeful; make your own values and conditions.

Poverty Is Not Natural; It’s Man-Made

“Overcoming poverty is not a charity; it is an act of justice, like slavery and apartheid. Poverty is not natural; it’s man-made, and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. If you are living a life below what you have hoped for, know that your condition is not permanent. You cannot just outlive your adversity, but also end up at a place that was once in your wildest dreams. _____ Nelson Mandela

Hence, poverty can be overcome at the individual, community, national, and even global levels. It lies on our individual and collective responsibility to make that our reality.

“ Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your generation blossom.” —- Mandela

Also Read: An Essay on Action Speaks Louder than Words

Stand Up for What’s Right

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela

“Courage is not the absence of fear — it is inspiring others to move beyond it.” – Nelson Mandela

These two were the quotes through which Mandela guided students to be strong and fight against wrong. When studying for a Bachelor of Arts, he was expelled for protesting against injustice. He knew he would be punished; yet, he still chose to raise his voice against what was wrong. He guided students to stand for themselves and also for others. Students should apply this in their lives. If you, in your university career, see anything wrong, make sure to stand against it. Never tolerate wrong situations. Making sure you always stand for what is right is part of strong character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What was Nelson Mandela famous for?

Answer: Nelson Mandela was the man who freed South Africa from the system of segregation. He was someone who was known as a freedom fighter, prisoner, and peacemaker. He remained a symbol of defiance and hope for many people.

Question 2: What did Nelson Mandela fight for?

Answer: In his five years as president, from 1994 to 1999, he mainly focused on the reconciliation between Black and white South Africans. He marked the end of apartheid.

Question 3: What is the important life lesson of Nelson Mandela?

Answer: Mandela followed the non-violent path. He taught people the art of forgiveness, and he showed his kindness with one move.