The late Nelson Mandela once said, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” The literal translation of Mandela’s birth name, Rolihlahla, is “the one who pulls on tree branches” and more generally “someone who is a troublemaker.” Mandela was quite the troublemaker as an instrumental figure in the dismantling of apartheid rule (persecution of non-whites) in South Africa and the formation of the nation’s democratic government. Even after his passing on December 5, 2013 Mandela will forever remain a symbol and full embodiment of persistence, and justice for his monumental acts of righteousness and unwavering determination to standardize equality and continue to be a role model for generations to come.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born to the Chief of the Madiba Clan in a region called Umata in Thembuland, South Africa on July 18, 1918. Even though he was a part of the tribe’s royal family, Mandela was still treated as a second-class citizen because of his ethnicity. After his father’s passing when Mandela was 12, he was enrolled in a local mission school where he was renamed Nelson by a teacher and grew to be well educated. Later, at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, Mandela studied law and opened the city’s first black law firm in 1952.
As a young adult, Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC), an organization that fought with peaceful methods to defend the rights of black people. Frustrated with the lack of progress towards racial equality, he later worked to establish the African National Congress Youth League with other young activists that used violent methods to achieve its goals. On June 12, 1964, he was convicted of sabotage, as well as treason, by the apartheid South African government and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
While Mandela was incarcerated at Robben’s Island Prison, the South African government offered him his freedom under several conditions, which basically stated that Mandela would stop his work to dismantle apartheid. He refused. Throughout his time in prison, Mandela continued to be a symbol of resistance against apartheid. Mandela said he drew inspiration to continue fighting and thriving from the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley. The final line of the poem reads, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” Mandela fully embodied the spirit of the poem that conveys the idea that despite constant oppression, it is necessary to carry on living.
In 1990, South Africa was in turmoil and on the verge of a civil war that had the potential to reduce the nation to ruins. On February 11, 1990, as an attempt to sooth the nation’s people, then president of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, released Mandela from prison. It had been 27 years since Mandela had first been convicted and jailed, and yet he showed no sign of bitterness or resentment. With his strong commitment to serve his country, Mandela worked to pull the nation’s people together. As deputy president of the ANC, he led negotiations with de Klerk and is credited by many as having ended apartheid and stopping the downfall of South Africa. In 1993, the Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to Mandela and F.W. de Klerk for their peaceful negotiations.
Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president in 1994 during the nation’s first multiracial elections. As president, Mandela focused specifically on reconciliation between the nation’s people. In 1995, he established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that brought light to human rights violations during apartheid. After serving just one term as president, Mandela retired from his active political career in 1997 at age 79. Even after his service in public office, Mandela continued to work endlessly in order to help others.
After his presidency, Mandela dedicated much of his life to fighting AIDS, which is especially widespread in South Africa. He was personally affected by the AIDS epidemic that took the lives of his son and daughter-in-law. So, in 2002, Mandela set out to establish 4664, an organization that uses music to spread AIDS awareness and prevention. The name 4664 was inspired by Mandela’s prison number while at Robben’s Island Prison. Celebrities such as Will Smith, Beyoncé, and Bono have become involved with advocating the foundation.
Additionally, The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) was established in 1995 by Mandela to, as according to the organization’s website, “To give voice and dignity to the African child by building a rights-based movement.” The group focuses on reforming society to better treat its youth. Mandela said, “Children are a treasure, the wealth of any country. They are the future leaders of society and the entire nation… They must be given education. Their health must be looked after. And, above all, they must be given love.” Today the organization continues it’s work and is now raising funds to establish a children’s hospital.
In 2007, Mandela also helped to form a group called The Elders that is composed of retired leaders from public office who work together to help achieve peace and sustain human rights. Of the organization Mandela said, “This group can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes. Together they will support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope when there is despair.” The Elders work has included advocating equality for women and girls, peace in the Middle East, and awareness of the effects of climate change.
Mandela passed away in his home on December 5, 2013 at age 95. He was buried in his hometown of Johannesburg, and his state funeral was attended by approximately 4,500 people. Upon announcing the death of Mandela, current South African president, Jacob Zuma, said, “Our nation has lost its greatest son, our people have lost a father. Although we knew that this day would come nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss.”
Today, Mandela’s work continues to be acknowledged and appreciated. In total, Mandela was awarded approximately 1,340 awards and tributes. July 18, Nelson Mandela International Day, was established by the United Nations in 2009 to commemorate Mandela’s life in which individuals around of the world are challenged to take 67 minutes out of their day to help another just as Mandela took 67 years of his life to help others.
In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela wrote, “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”
Mandela dedicated his life to others, always fighting to mandate a better standard of living for all–regardless of ethnicity, religion, and gender. Whether through his work to build resistance to apartheid, to bring awareness and prevention towards AIDS, or to fight for human rights, his heroic acts, and unwavering passion has left an impact on all those he touched, and Nelson Mandela will forever be in our hearts as a leader and example for all.