Introduction
Nelson Mandela is, undoubtedly, one of the strongest and the most inspiring political leaders of the 20th century, the embodiment of the human spirit’s limitless possibilities. His extraordinary life and the trials that he endured deserve to be remembered and talked about today. In my speech, I hope to recall Mandela’s most significant achievements and qualities, as well as comment on the influence he continues to have on activists and world leaders alike even after his death.
Body
Rolihlahla Mandela was born in the village near Umtata in the Transkei on 18 July 1918. Both of his parents were illiterate, but his mother sent Mandela to the Methodist school at the age of 7, where his teacher gave the boy name “Nelson.” In 1931 Mandela enrolled in the University College of Fort Hare but was later expelled for protesting the school’s policies. Already his passion for justice and fighting spirit spoke louder than seeking profit or self-interest.
After starting a political career in the early 1940-s, Mandela has relentlessly fought against discrimination and marginalization of Black people of South Africa. Alongside several colleagues, he initiated the campaign of defiance against the law that required all non-white citizens to carry around documentation justifying their presence in white-dominated areas. In 1952, together with a fellow member of the African National Congress, Oliver Tambo, he established the first Black law practice in the country. Both these accomplishments’ influence on the human rights movement, as well as their historical significance for the rights of Black people in South Africa, cannot be overstated.
Anti-apartheid activism and underground activities made Mandela a frequent target for government persecution. Throughout the early 1960s, he became known as “The Black Pimpernel” due to his extraordinary ability to evade capture while juggling several aliases. In 1964, on the Rivonia trial, Mandela gave one of the most famous speeches in human history. He proclaimed his dedication to the struggle of African people and condemned the domination of any group over another group. His commitment to the world of equal opportunities was absolute: “My Lord, if it needs to be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die” (Mandela, 2018). This speech highlights Mandela’s most impressive qualities: his almost frightening conviction and a lack of concern for himself when the greater good is on the line.
While in prison, Mandela continued the work of his life, engaging in activism and educating other inmates on the topic of non-violent protests. By this point, he became a hero among the anti-apartheid Black community of South Africa. Mandela was released in 1990, and in 1991 he led negotiations on a peaceful transition to non-racial democracy, which signified the end of apartheid. Thus, Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
Conclusion
Mandela’s lifepath solidifies him as one of the most influential figures in the history of the modern world. Throughout his entire life, Mandela has fought on the frontlines of Black liberation and democratic recognition in South Africa, refusing to accept the injustice and the suppression. Even when apartheid laws were put in place by the government to enforce racial segregation and inequality, he resisted. Nelson Mandela became the hero of his generation and generations after him by reminding everyone by everything he did that what is legal and rational is not necessarily right.
Reference
Mandela, N. (2018). I am prepared to die. Nelson Mandela Foundation. Web.