Nelson mandela death biography of ralph

1. Biography of Nelson Mandela
2. Early Life and Political Career
3. Imprisonment and Symbol of Resistance
4. Transition and Presidency
5. Legacy

Biography of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1993, passed away on the night of December 5, 2013. Mandela was the first black president of South Africa, a fighter against apartheid, a prisoner of conscience, and the leading African politician of the 20th century. He was 95 years old. Mandela spent almost a third of his life behind bars, so long before his death, he was recognized as a martyr. Condolences to his family have been pouring in from around the world, from the British Queen to the Russian President, from Iranian Ayatollahs to the Chinese Communist Party. Along with these condolences, there is recognition of Mandela's contribution to the fight for democracy and freedom. In Mandela's homeland, his fellow countrymen are performing mourning dances, and his relatives are preparing for a decisive battle for his inheritance.

Early Life and Political Career

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo, in the Cape Province of South Africa. He received a good education and possessed personal charisma. Mandela could have become a famous lawyer or a popular preacher, but he became, perhaps unintentionally, a living monument to his ideals. Mandela shared Mahatma Gandhi's views on nonviolence and initially tried to adhere to them in his early political career. However, it became clear that the white supremacist supporters in power were not inclined to respond to symbolic protests. Mandela then created and led the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), whose goal was to sabotage and carry out attacks on symbolic targets of the regime. He insisted that these acts of sabotage should not result in human casualties and criticized his comrades who advocated "an eye for an eye" principle.

Imprisonment and Symbol of Resistance

In 1962, Mandela was arrested for inciting workers to strike and for his illegal departure from the country (black individuals required special permission to travel). After some time, he was accused of organizing sabotage and preparing for the violent overthrow of the existing system. Mandela and his comrades accepted the first accusation but rejected the second. They turned the trial into the first public condemnation of apartheid in the history of South Africa. The prosecutor demanded the death penalty for attempting to overthrow the state, but the judge showed leniency and sentenced the defendants to life imprisonment. Thus, since 1964, Mandela was excluded from active political life and had only an indirect relationship to the abolition of apartheid.

Transition and Presidency

By the late 1980s, significant changes had taken place in the world. The confrontation between NATO and the Soviet Union had lost its meaning as the latter was on the verge of collapse. Western leaders began to seek other directions to fight totalitarianism, and the apartheid regime became a glaring anomaly. Additionally, the general humanization of public consciousness contributed to a softening of attitudes. Thus, the new generation of white leaders in South Africa felt like Neanderthals holding onto racial segregation. The moral damage caused by the country's boycott was accompanied by economic decline. Mandela, the imprisoned leader of the black majority, became a suitable candidate for negotiations on regime change. The authorities were undoubtedly concerned about whether Mandela's many years in solitary confinement had made him too embittered. Almost certainly, he was offered a proposal that would have been foolish to refuse, even for purely personal reasons. Mandela's main achievement was probably the fact that the transfer of power by the white government did not lead to massive bloodshed. For this reason, Mandela and President Frederik de Klerk were rightfully awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Legacy

The years that followed the change of power saw an increase in street crime, white flight, and economic decline. However, it would be unfair to solely blame Mandela for these challenges. At the time of his presidency, the overwhelming majority of the black population had no access to education and healthcare, and their homes lacked electricity, telephone communication, and sanitation. Mandela partially managed to improve this situation during his early years in office. By the time of his death, Mandela had become a revered figure, seen as a symbol of resistance against colonial ambitions and as a cultural hero who liberated his people from foreign slavery and deprivation. The magic of Mandela's personality and the agiography created by liberal society undoubtedly influenced the perception of the politician in intellectual and bohemian circles. Several universities bestowed honorary degrees upon him, mainly in the field of law. The popular British ska band, The Specials, recorded the hit song "Free Nelson Mandela" in 1983, which became an anthem for the anti-apartheid movement and was later covered by the legendary musician Elvis Costello. While Mandela's reverence stopped short of being turned into a cult, he will be remembered as a charming old man in colorful shirts, resembling a legendary bluesman, who spoke about important values such as equality, justice, freedom, and tolerance. Most importantly, he will be remembered for not unleashing his demons of revenge and keeping others from doing the same.