Lesson 2 : Nelson Mandela, from Apartheid Fighter to President

 

A. Warm-up Activity: From the text Nelson Mandela

 

Lesson 1 -Unforgettable History 

1. Who do you see in the picture? What do you know about him?

In the picture, we see Nelson Mandela. He was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election in South Africa. Mandela was a symbol of the struggle against racial oppression and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

 

B. Read the text Nelson Mandela

15 December 2013 JOHANNESBURG (Reuters)—Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid to a multi-racial democracy, as an icon of peace and reconciliation who came to embody the struggle for justice around the world. Imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against white minority rule, Mandela never lost his resolve to fight for his people’s emancipation. He was determined to bring down apartheid while avoiding a civil war. His prestige and charisma helped him win the support of the world.

People or Institutions Making History “I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I will fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days,” Mandela said in his acceptance speech on becoming South Africa’s first black president in 1994. “The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come.”

“We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation.” In 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor he shared with F.W. de Klerk, the white South African leader who had freed him from prison three years earlier and negotiated the end of apartheid. Mandela went on to play a prominent role on the world stage as an advocate of human dignity in the face of challenges ranging from political repression to AIDS.

He formally left public life in June 2004 before his 86th birthday, telling his adoring countrymen: “Don’t call me. I’ll call you.” But he remained one of the world’s most revered public figures, combining celebrity sparkle with an unwavering message of freedom, respect and human rights. “He is at the epicenter of our time, ours in South Africa, and yours, wherever you are,” Nadine Gordimer, the South African writer and Nobel Laureate for Literature, once remarked.

 

The years Mandela spent behind bars made him the world’s most celebrated political prisoner and a leader of mythic stature for millions of black South Africans and other oppressed people far beyond his country’s borders. Charged with capital offences in the 1963 Rivonia Trial, his statement from the dock was his political testimony. “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people.

I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities,” he told the court. “It is an ideal I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” Friends adored Mandela and fondly called him “Madiba,” the clan name by which he was known. People lauded his humanity, kindness and dignity.

C. Vocabulary Questions:

 

i. What does apartheid refer to in the title?

c. discrimination

ii. The word icon in the text means (line 3)

c. symbol

iii. What does shackles refer to (line 3)?

a. restraints

iv. race discrimination (line 9) refers to

a. differences on the basis of caste, creed and colour

v. The word manifestation (line 9) means

d. sign

vi. The word healing (line 12) means

c. soothing

vii. The word chasm (line 13) refers to

a. cleft

viii. The word emancipation (line 13) is

d. liberation

D. Answer the following questions:

 

a. Summary of the report:

Nelson Mandela led South Africa from apartheid to a multi-racial democracy and became a global symbol of peace and reconciliation. Imprisoned for nearly 30 years for his fight against white minority rule, he remained resolute in his struggle for his people’s freedom. Mandela, who became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 alongside F.W. de Klerk. He continued to advocate for human dignity and rights until his retirement in 2004. Despite stepping down from public life, Mandela remained a revered figure worldwide, celebrated for his commitment to justice and equality.

b. What do the following dates refer to?

• 1963: Nelson Mandela was charged with capital offenses in the Rivonia Trial.
• 1993: Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
• 1994: Mandela became South Africa’s first black president.
• 2004: Mandela formally left public life.

c. Why did Nadine Gordimer remark that “He (Mandela) is at the epicenter of our time, ours in South Africa, and yours, wherever you are”?

Nadine Gordimer remarked that Mandela is at the epicenter of our time because his influence and impact extended beyond South Africa to the entire world. He symbolized the struggle against oppression and the fight for justice and human rights, making his legacy relevant and inspirational globally.

d. What emancipation did Mandela hint at by saying “We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation”?

Mandela referred to the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic society in South Africa, where all citizens, regardless of race, had equal political rights and could participate in the democratic process.

e. Mandela is quoted in the report as saying, “It is an ideal I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” What ideal is he talking about? Do you support his ideal?

Mandela was talking about his ideal of a democratic and free society where all individuals live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. I support this ideal because it embodies fundamental human rights and the principles of equality and justice, which are essential for a peaceful and fair society.

E. Fill in the gaps with the right use of verbs:

Mandela was among the first to advocate armed resistance to apartheid, going underground in 1961 to form the ANC’s armed wing. He left South Africa and traveled the continent and Europe, studying guerrilla warfare and building support for the ANC.

Branded a terrorist by his enemies, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964, isolated from millions of his countrymen as they suffered oppression, violence, and forced resettlement under the apartheid regime of racial segregation. He was imprisoned on Robben Island, a penal colony off Cape Town, where he spent the next 18 years before being moved to mainland prisons.

F. Rearrange the jumbled text into a cohesive paragraph:

In his later years in prison, he met President P.W. Botha and his successor de Klerk. He was behind bars when an uprising broke out in the huge township of Soweto in 1976 and when others erupted in violence in the 1980s. “As I finally walked through those gates … I felt even at the age of 71 that my life was beginning anew. My 10,000 days of imprisonment were at last over,” Mandela wrote of that day.

 

When he was released on 11 February 1990, walking away from the Victor Verster prison hand-in-hand with his wife Winnie, the event was watched live by millions of television viewers across the world. But when the regime realized it was time to negotiate, it was Mandela to whom it turned.

G. Fill in the gaps with the appropriate words:

Mandela was treated in the 1980s for tuberculosis and later required an operation to repair the damage to his eyes as well as treatment for prostate cancer in 2001. His spirit, however, remained strong. “If cancer wins I will still be the better winner,” he told reporters in September of that year. “When I go to the next world, the first thing I will do is look for an ANC office to renew my membership.” Most South Africans are proud of their post-apartheid multi-racial ‘Rainbow Nation’.

H. Fill in the gaps in the text using suitable words:

Mandela’s last major appearance on the world stage was in 2010 when he wore a cap in the South African colors and rode on a golf cart, waving to an exuberant crowd of 90,000 during the soccer World Cup final, one of the biggest events in the country’s post-apartheid history. “I leave it to the public to decide how they should remember me,” he said on South African television before his retirement. “But I should like to be remembered as an ordinary South African who together with others has made his humble contribution.”

 

Who Is Nelson Mandela ?

 

Nelson , an iconic figure of the 20th century, was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Born on July 18, 1918, in the rural village of Mvezo, Mandela became a global symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice.

Mandela’s journey into activism began during his early years as a law student at the University of Fort Hare and later at the University of Witwatersrand, where he joined the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC, founded in 1912 to combat racial discrimination and fight for civil rights, became Mandela’s lifelong political home.

His early activism against apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the National Party government from 1948 to 1994, marked Nelson as a formidable leader. As apartheid tightened its grip on South Africa, Mandela and other ANC leaders adopted both peaceful resistance and, later, armed struggle as tactics to challenge apartheid’s legality and morality.

In 1962, Nelson was arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges, resulting in a life sentence at the infamous Robben Island prison. He spent 27 years in various prisons, enduring harsh conditions and limited communication with the outside world. Despite his imprisonment, Mandela’s resolve and commitment to justice remained unshaken.

During his incarceration, Nelson emerged as a global symbol of resistance to apartheid. His steadfastness garnered international attention and support, turning him into a powerful advocate for human rights and racial equality. Mandela’s imprisonment galvanized the anti-apartheid movement both within South Africa and globally, leading to widespread calls for his release.

After intense domestic and international pressure, Mandela was finally released on February 11, 1990, signaling a pivotal moment in South African history. His release marked the beginning of negotiations to dismantle apartheid and transition South Africa into a democratic state. Mandela’s leadership during this critical period was characterized by his statesmanship, vision for reconciliation, and unwavering commitment to non-violence.

In 1994, Mandela led the ANC to victory in South Africa’s first multiracial elections, becoming the country’s first black president. His presidency focused on national reconciliation, dismantling the legacy of apartheid, and promoting social justice and economic development. Mandela’s efforts to unite a deeply divided nation earned him admiration worldwide and solidified his status as a global statesman.

Beyond his presidency, Mandela remained actively involved in various humanitarian causes, including HIV/AIDS awareness and peace-building efforts. He established the Nelson Mandela Foundation to promote social justice and equality, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion, integrity, and resilience.

Nelson Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. His life’s work exemplifies the triumph of hope over adversity and the enduring power of forgiveness and reconciliation in the face of oppression. Mandela’s name remains synonymous with courage, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of freedom and equality for all.

 

Nelson Nelson’s prison life stands as a testament to his resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Nelson’s journey through imprisonment spanned 27 years, during which he endured harsh conditions and isolation, yet emerged as an international symbol of resistance and hope. Here’s a detailed exploration of his prison life:

In 1962, Nelson Nelson was arrested by the apartheid government’s security police. He was charged with sabotage, treason, and violent conspiracy against the state, crimes for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. Nelson’s trial at the Rivonia Trial was a landmark moment, where he famously declared, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.”

Nelson began his prison sentence on Robben Island, a notorious penal colony off the coast of Cape Town. Robben Island was known for its harsh conditions, where political prisoners like Nelson were subjected to hard labor and minimal amenities. Nelson spent 18 of his 27 years in various cells on Robben Island, enduring rigorous physical labor in the island’s limestone

Life on Robben Island was physically and mentally demanding. Nelson and his fellow prisoners faced grueling work, inadequate food, and restricted visitation rights. The regime sought to break their spirits through isolation and hardship, yet Nelson’s resolve remained unshaken.

Despite the hardships, Nelson used his time in prison to continue his education, engage in political discussions with fellow inmates, and secretly communicate with the outside world through smuggled letters and messages. His leadership among prisoners and unwavering commitment to justice made him a central figure in the anti-apartheid movement.

Nelson’s imprisonment became a rallying point for the anti-apartheid struggle both within South Africa and internationally. His steadfastness and moral authority garnered global support, turning him into a symbol of resistance against injustice. Nelson’s name became synonymous with the fight for human rights and racial equality.

In the late 1980s, as international pressure mounted and apartheid’s internal contradictions became unsustainable, the South African government began secret negotiations with Nelson and other ANC leaders. Nelson’s release on February 11, 1990, after 27 years in prison, marked a pivotal moment in South African history and paved the way for democratic reforms.

Nelson Nelson’s prison life exemplifies his extraordinary leadership and commitment to the ideals of justice and equality. His ability to endure and triumph over adversity, while maintaining his dignity and principles, continues to inspire generations around the world. Nelson’s legacy as a statesman, peacemaker, and champion of human rights remains unparalleled, reminding us of the power of perseverance and moral courage in the face of oppression.

 

Why he got noble Prize

 

Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, along with Frederik Willem de Klerk, the then President of South Africa. Here are the key reasons why Mandela received this prestigious honor:

Role in Ending Apartheid

1. Negotiations and Reconciliation: Mandela played a crucial role in negotiating an end to apartheid in South Africa. His ability to engage with the apartheid government, particularly through talks with President de Klerk, was instrumental in paving the way for a peaceful transition from minority rule to majority rule.
2. Commitment to Peaceful Resolution: Throughout his life, Mandela advocated for peaceful resistance and reconciliation. Despite years of imprisonment and oppression, he consistently promoted dialogue and understanding between different racial and ethnic groups in South Africa.

Symbol of Reconciliation

1. Symbolic Leadership: Mandela’s personal journey from prisoner to president symbolized the triumph of forgiveness and reconciliation over bitterness and conflict. His willingness to forgive his former oppressors and work towards building a united South Africa inspired people worldwide.
2. Promotion of Human Rights: Mandela’s advocacy extended beyond South Africa’s borders. He championed human rights, democracy, and social justice on the global stage, making him a respected figure among international leaders and activists.

Impact on Global Peace

1. International Influence: Mandela’s steadfast commitment to peace and justice resonated globally. His efforts contributed significantly to South Africa’s peaceful transition to democracy and served as a beacon of hope for oppressed people everywhere.
2. Legacy of Peace and Unity: The Nobel Peace Prize recognized Mandela’s extraordinary contributions to promoting peace, reconciliation, and non-violence. It acknowledged his role in transforming South Africa and inspiring movements for freedom and equality worldwide.

Conclusion

Nelson Mandela’s Nobel Peace Prize was a recognition of his lifelong dedication to ending apartheid peacefully, promoting reconciliation, and advancing human rights. It honored his leadership, moral courage, and unwavering commitment to justice, making him a revered global symbol of peace and unity.