It’s hard to imagine what it would be like living many years in prison.Mandela was in prison for 27 years Nelson Mandela is important to us because he was the first democratically elected president of South Africa, after being imprisoned for 27 years, and overcoming obstacles to inspire the world. Nelson Mandela was born Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, on the banks of the Mbashe River in Transkei, South Africa. He was later named Nelson when he entered school because his name was too hard to pronounce. Nelson was supposed to be raised and trained to be an advisor and chief of the village one day. As chief, Gadla, Mandela’s father, had four wives, which was okay for their culture. His third wife had her own house and
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He and de Klerk entered a long series of negotiations to determine South Africa’s political future. They formed the convention for a democratic South Africa (CODESA) to debate the issues. Both men wanted peace in the country, but they had different ways of accomplishing it. Finally, the negotiations reached a compromise in 1993. Whites would have to share power with the black, and the other non-white racial groups in South Africa. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were selected to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South …show more content…
As a poor country boy with no education, he became a student at the most prestigious school in his country. As a respected lawyer, he became a freedom fighter. As a former prisoner, he became the first democratically elected president. Mandela’s story shows that he was brave in standing up for what he believed in, regardless of the sacrifices he had to make. He became a lawyer in a time when black people were discouraged from using their minds. His family life suffered because of his dedication to the freedom movement. He rose above pressure even when his jailers tried to rob him of all hope. Mandela’s life choices show what one person can accomplish. Of course, Mandela would be the first to insist that he did not achieve his success alone. After retiring from politics in 1999, he remained a devoted champion for peace and social justice in his own nation and around the world until his death in 2013 at the age of
He and de Klerk entered a long series of negotiations to determine South Africa’s political future. They formed the convention for a democratic South Africa (CODESA) to debate the issues. Both men wanted peace in the country, but they had different ways of accomplishing it. Finally, the negotiations reached a compromise in 1993. Whites would have to share power with the black, and the other non-white racial groups in South Africa. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were selected to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South …show more content…
As a poor country boy with no education, he became a student at the most prestigious school in his country. As a respected lawyer, he became a freedom fighter. As a former prisoner, he became the first democratically elected president. Mandela’s story shows that he was brave in standing up for what he believed in, regardless of the sacrifices he had to make. He became a lawyer in a time when black people were discouraged from using their minds. His family life suffered because of his dedication to the freedom movement. He rose above pressure even when his jailers tried to rob him of all hope. Mandela’s life choices show what one person can accomplish. Of course, Mandela would be the first to insist that he did not achieve his success alone. After retiring from politics in 1999, he remained a devoted champion for peace and social justice in his own nation and around the world until his death in 2013 at the age of