Nelson Mandela | Life of Nelson Mandela

An icon of Anti-apartheid movement, freedom fighter, one of the world’s famous politician, prisoner, philanthropist and first black president of South Africa : NELSON MANDELA.

We have lost one of the great personalities : Nelson Mandela. He died on 5th December 2013 at the age of 95.

Let’s see the life journey of Sir. Nelson Mandela form 1918 to 2013.

 

Life of Nelson Mandela

 

Early Life & Education of Nelson Mandela :

“Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela”.

He was born 18th July 1918 at a small village of South Africa named Mvezo in Cape Province. Meaning of his middle name come form xhosa which means “troublemaker”. But due to white government of South Africa, he left up to his name.

At the age of nine year ,  Sir Mandela lost his father and then settled down with the Thembu people. After that he never saw his mother again. He was brought up their by Jongintaba (Chief of the Thembu) & his wife Noengland. He did his schooling there with the name NELSON and every Sunday he used go at Church which became very important part of his life.

When he was of 16 years old, he moved to Tyhalarha with Justice (Son of Jongintaba) and other friends for the ritual that is believed for the transition form the “BOY to MEN” and there he got the name “Dalibunga”.

Nelson started his Bachelor in Arts at “University College of Fort Hare” but was expelled from college because of attending student protest. Then from “University of South Africa ”, he completed his Bachelor of Arts .

At the “University of the Witwatersrand” , he started study of LLB but he was the only student of native Africa and faced many facial racism . At that time he joined to ANC : African National Congress which was fighting against the partially and injustice against black people. He did not complete his law study as he left that study in 1948. After that form London University he started law study but again could not complete it and finally in 1989, during his imprisonment, he completed his law study from the University of South Africa.

Nelson Mandela

Political Journey of Nelson Mandela :

In 1952, ANC started non-cooperation & non-violent movement against apartheid. During his protest campaign , he assembled crowd of 10,000 and for that he was arrested & interned in jail. After that he was banned, arrested many time and kept secretly watch on him as he was the important person in the whole protest.

In 1991, he became president of ANC. In 1993 he was awarded with “Nobel Peace Prize’  and on 10th may 1994, he became the South Africa ‘s first president who was democratically  elected .

He spend 27 years of his life behind bars.  He served as president from 1994 to 1999 and after that he established “Nelson Mandela Foundation” and continued to work with “Children’s Fund of Nelson Mandela”.

Personal Life of Nelson Mandela :

He married to “Evelyn Mase” in 1944 and had two sons and two daughters but in 1958 they divorced.

In 1958, he married to “Winnie Madikizela” and had two daughters from her and divorced in 1996.

Because his imprisonment and significant role in protest , he was not allowed to attend the funerals of his mother (1968) and his eldest son ‘Thembi’ (1969).

In 1998, he got married to “Graça Machel “(Third Wife) on his 80th birthday.

On 5th December at the age of 95, he died at his home , Houghton’s Johannessburg. This sad news was declared by the president JACOB ZUMA.

Family of Nelson Mandela

Achievements of Nelson Mandela :

In South Africa, he is best known as “Father of Nation” , “Founding Father of Democracy”.

At many places , his statues are honored and many places and spots are named with his name.

In 1990, he got ‘Bharat Ratna Award’ and also honored by national awards by Pakistan (Nishan-e-Pakistan) and Turkey (Atatürk Peace Award). In 1993 he was awarded with “Nobel Peace Prize’ and  more awards.

He was honored by more than 25o awards.

From 2009, 18th July i.e. Sir Mandela’s birthday is celebrated as “Mandela Day”  which shows his contribution & dedication to struggle of anti apartheid


Some of the famous quotes by Sir. Nelson Mandela are :

  • “The Greatest Glory In Living Lies Not In Never Falling, But In Rising Every Time We Fall.”
  •  “If You Want To Make Peace With Your Enemy, You Have To Work With Him. Then He Becomes Your Partner.”
  •  “A Good Leader Can Engage In A Debate Frankly And Thoroughly, Knowing That At The End He And The Other Side Must Be Closer, And Thus
  • Emerge Stronger. You Don’t Have That Idea When You Are Arrogant, Superficial, And Uninformed.”
  •  “Education Is The Most Powerful Weapon Which You Can Use To Change The World.”
  •  “It Always Seems Impossible Until Its Done.”
  •  “We Must Use Time Wisely And Forever Realize That The Time Is Always Ripe To Do Right.”

Really sir , we respect your contribution. You are really an idol for us. May you be blessed with peace wherever your soul is today, we certainly miss you, and your space can never be filled.