Nelson Mandela, who is called 'Gandhi' of South Africa, his full name is Nelson Rolihla Mandela. He is called the Gandhi of Africa because he also believed in non-violence like our Gandhiji and fought his battle with this truth and non-violence. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the movement against apartheid and spent 27 years of his life in Robben Island prison fighting against apartheid policy, but it is said that if you are on the right track you are fighting for justice And that too, not only for yourself but for others, for their future, it is late but you definitely get success. Nelson Mandela's life is an example of this, in the end he also won and was awarded the Nobel Prize. Let's know about his life and struggle.
The Journey of Nelson Mandela's Life | Biography, Education, Marriage and political career in details.
Nelson Mandela early life:-
Nelson Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in Mwejon, a village in the Transkei region of South Africa. His father named him "Rolihlahla", a name meaning "ruler" in that region. Mandela's father, Henri Mvejon, was the tribal chief of the town there. The Sardar's son was called Mandela in the local language. Nelson was the third of his 13 brothers.
Education details of Nelson Mandela :-
He completed his early education from Clarkberry Missionary School, after which he completed his schooling from Methodist Missionary School. He was given the English name Nelson at school. He even gave up his claim of Sardar to become a lawyer. He attended University College at Fort Hare and studied law at the University of the Witwatersrand, later passing the qualifying examinations and becoming a lawyer.
Nelson Mandela's marriage life :-
Mandela was married three times, they had 6 children. In 1944 he married Evelyn Mays, sister of his friend Walter Sisulu. In 1961, Mandela was tried for treason, during which he met Nomjamon Winnie Mediquizala, who became his second wife. In 1998, he married Grass Meckle on his 80th birthday. There were 17 grandchildren in his family.
Political career of Nelson Mandela :-
He was given the English name Nelson at school. He even renounced his claim of Sardar to become a lawyer. Mandela attended University College in Fort Hare and studied law at the University of the Weitwatersrand, then passed the qualifying exams and became a lawyer. In 1952, he, along with his friend, Oliver Tembu, founded the country's first black law firm to fight legal battles. As a legal practitioner, he witnessed thousands of stories of apartheid injustice and government atrocities. Although he had reached a professional position in his community, in every case, every visit to the prison to interview clients reminded him of the humiliation and suffering of the people. To remove this apartheid, he entered politics.
In 1944, he joined the African National Congress party, which continued the fight for apartheid. In 1944, Mandela and his friends together founded the African Congress League and in 1947 he was elected its secretary. Opposed the apartheid policies of the National Party that was in power after 1948, the ANC believed that South Africa belonged to all its people, regardless of their color.
Nelson Mandela was a natural leader and a gifted orator. He became the vice-president of the ANC and encouraged the people to break the apartheid laws of the government. Due to the increasing popularity of Nelson, he was banned because the government there started feeling that this man could become a big problem for him. He was banned that he could never attend any meeting. Despite the ban, Nelson moved to Cliptown. There were also winning organizations that took part in all that were fighting for the independence of the Akshwaites. He expressed that the present government was making every effort to break the apartheid movement. Nelson's support base was increasing due to the government repression cycle, in the meantime the government passed some laws that were not right for black people. Nelson also strongly opposed this law, during the protests, the city police opened fire on them, 180 people died, Nelson was very saddened by this incident. Seeing this atrocity, he decided to fight without any weapon. The government made his ANC (African National Congress) illegal, due to which Mandela was arrested several times, in 1961 he and some of his associates were tried for treason, but they were released after not being convicted in court. .
In 1962, Mandela left the country to arrange military training and training for the rest of the members in Algeria, but he was arrested again in 1962, where the government worked hard and sentenced Nelson to 5 years. Heard it In 1963, when leaders of the ANC and other parties were arrested, Mandela was also brought on trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government. His statements received considerable international publicity. He expressed his views about democracy, liberty and equality in his own save. In his closing statement during the trial, he said: "During my lifetime, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white supremacy and I have fought against black supremacy. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all individuals live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal I hope to live up to and achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am ready to die.”
On 12 July 1964, he was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was sent to the Robert Island Prison in Cape Town for punishment. The conditions in the prison were harsh but his enthusiasm did not work. They were allowed to meet only one person every 6 months. Relentless refusal to change his political stance in order to achieve his freedom, and again rejected offers of freedom when he renounced violence. Prison, he started the work of connecting black prisoners together and while in jail, he wrote his book named "Long Walk To Freedom". In jail while working in a coal mine. Where he was imprisoned, it became a learning center for them. In prison, Mandela stood firm with his political principles and was always a source of strength to other prisoners.
In 1982, the government sent him to Polsmoor Prison, which was on the Son Mainland. This time was marked by violence in South Africa with street protests against apartheid. Mandela was kept in Polsmoor Prison until 1990. He became the world's famous political prisoner and was acknowledged as the world's most important black leader.
On 11 February 1990, the then President of South Africa F. W. De Klerk released Mandela after 27 years in prison. The ban on the ANC was lifted. After his release, he laid the foundation for a democratic and multiracial Africa. He again stood in politics.
Nelson Mandela Noble prize winner :-
In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Accepting the award, he said- “We are nothing but the representative of millions of our people here today who dared to rise up against a social order whose essence is war, violence, casteism, oppression, oppression and the impoverishment of the entire people. ".
Elections were held in South Africa in April 1994 in which, for the first time, men and women of all races and all colors could vote, the ANC (African National Congress) won with 62% of the vote, and Nelson Mandela on 10 May 1994 the country's first Black became president. After becoming president, Mandela got a new constitution enacted in 1996, ending the much-hated apartheid system.
Nelson Mandela believed in the non-violent ideology of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela's life is an inspiration to the whole world which teaches us that we are all one, there is no difference between us.
His daughter 'Zinzi' says he grew up without a father, who upon his return became the "father of the nation". Nelson Mandela retired from active politics in 1999, in the meantime he made a lot of changes for blacks in the country, implemented the law and gave them the freedom to live with dignity.
Death of Nelson Mandela :-
He died on 5 December 2013 at his home in Johannesburg. He may not be with us today, but he will always be alive in the hearts of people as an inspiration.