Great Person of the Past Century; Nelson Mandela

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Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest icons  of democracy and  peace in the world. From a humble beginning, he rose  to become  the first  president of South Africa after  the  fall  of apartheid. Historically, he was born on 18^th July 1918 to chief of  Tembu, Henry. He was married to Winnie , but divorced and later married Gracia, widow  of Mozambican president. To enhance his  educational skills, he attended such colleges as Fort Hare and Witwatersrand to study law. As such, became a lawyer in  the  year 1942, and joined ANC in 1944. It is after joining the  party that  he become a vocal  opponent  of the apartheid  regime and demanded  for equity and equality in  the  country. He was tried for five years  under  treason laws based on the argument that he was fanning racial  hatred and rebellion against the  authorities. However, in 1961, these charges were  dropped.  Mandela’s defiance  continued more so when  the party was banned  by the white led authority. As a new strategy, he resorted  to militancy as opposed to  civil disobedience  that ANC had used as a tactic  to win freedom. This  led  to formation of the party’s military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (Adams, 54).  As a result, the rulers had Mandela  detained again in the year 1962, and jailed  for 5 years, and later for life. He was taken to several prisons including the famed Robben Islands.  However, with the imprisonment, his influence and  admiration grew as  he was taken as  the symbol of black  resistance. In 1990, he was  released, and was elected  the party’s President the following year, and also won Nobel Peace Prize. During the  first multi-racial elections, he was elected  the  president but served for one term. He is now involved in peace building and empowerment  of the oppressed under his  foundation.

Problems Faced

In his life, Mandela faced several challenges and problems. The major problem was the racial segregation that was practiced by the regime then.  According to Harrell (2), the white rule was characterized by ‘ills of apartheid [that] violated the ideas of true democracy’.  As a black, he could not walk in certain streets; go to certain schools or social places. This social issue led to his defiance and rebellion against the rulers, who were a minority. Secondly, being jailed for over four decades was a major problem that Mandela faced. As such, his freedom was curtailed and his association limited. This negatively impacted on his personal development and ability to pursue his dreams in life.

Overcoming the problems

To overcome these challenges, Mandela used several strategies. His aim was to see a just and prosperous society when the color of the skin was not a deterrent to progress both socially and individually. One of his work entailed use of his legal skills to defend himself and his colleagues in the court. He used what he freely had at disposal to champion the cause of democracy and universal respect.  Also, Mandela used the civil society movement to mobilize the masses to demand their rights. It is for this reason that he joined ANC and revitalized it as an avenue for mass action. At the same time, Mandela used civil disobedience, mass action, boycotts, public campaigns and demonstrations to overcome the problems that he faced in pursuit of a democratic and open society. Such avenues acted as awareness creation strategies that served well to counter the government’s machinery that was aimed at silencing its critics.

Influence in the world

It is noteworthy that Mandela not only changed the world but also influenced it. One of the major influences that he had was as a result of the speech that he made during his trial (Harrell, 5).  By authoritatively stating that he was reedy to lay his life for the sake of freedom in South Africa, Mandela greatly shaped the global attitude towards the existing regime then. It is such assertion that led to global attention to the country. At the same time, Mandela’s actions influenced the world’s relation with South Africa. Most leaders condemned the regime and ruled out bilateral and trade relations with the country. As such, Mandela was able to influence the economic arrangements and relations between South Africa and the rest of the world. Similarly, he and his associates influenced many African governments to offer Umkhonto we Sizwe military training and base for the then banned ANC. Such countries include Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Algeria (Buthelezi, 179). At the same   time, he influenced several African leaders. for example, President Nyerere is quoted  to have ‘ captured  the mood  of various [African] countries when he said,  when  the  doors  of peaceful  progress is slammed shut and bolted, then the struggle must take other forms’ (Buthelezi, 178). Further, by wining Nobel Peace Prize and presidency, Mandela changed the world’s negative view of his activities and his associates. He was thus considered as a rebel with a cause who was unduly oppressed. At the same time, by sharing the peace prize with de Klerk and calling for tolerance as opposed to vengeance, Mandela changed the world view of peace and security. Many people came to appreciate the need for brotherly coexistence and global peace.

Greatness

Generally, Mandela has been great and admirable leader. This is because of his decision to support multiracial system and also to pardon his jailers.  His intellectual acumen and oratory skills also make him very great. Controversy in his life however includes his rocky family life, where he divorced his wife, Winnie on infidelity grounds.

6. Do you agree with what that person stands for and what he has done in life? Is there evidence that this individual has inspired others?

I agree with Mandela’s stand in life and life long activities. By defying the authorities, he had no option but to direct his energies   to where the gain would be maximum, rebellion. At the same time, civil disobedience is a viable option in dealing with a dictatorial regime that gives no room for constructive civil engagement. It is such conviction that makes me agree with Mandela’s view and actions. At the same time, Mandela has inspired many people globally based on such facts as many people named after him, ability to contain the radical blacks who wanted total change in the country, including economic control and his peace promotions.  As such he inspired many people when he showed respect to his jailers and he valued their role in South Africa (Freeman & Stewart, 8).

Works Cited

Adams, Simon. Comrade Minister: the South African Communist Party and the

Transition from apartheid to democracy. Nova Science Publishers, 2001, Print.

Buthelezi, Jabulani. Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Nelson Mandela: an ecological study.   Trafford Publishing, 2002. Print.

Harrell, Willie J. We Shall Crush Apartheid’: Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko and the

Rhetoric of the South African Anti-Apartheid Jeremiad. 2007.Web. 18 Oct. 2010. <http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/uploads/docs/We%20Shall%20Crush%20Apartheid%20-%20Willie%20J%20Harrell%20Essay.%20pdf.pdf>.

Freeman, Edward  & Stewart, Lisa  Developing Ethical Leadership. 2006.Web. 18 Oct.

2010.< http://www.darden.virginia.edu/corporate-ethics/pdf/ethical_leadership.pdf>.

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