Nelson Mandela was a lot of things. He was a lawyer, politician, liberation leader, human rights activist and more. He was also the first black president of South Africa. Mandela is a big symbol for freedom and equality. He has received more than a hundred prices and honors, and one of them is the Nobel Peace Prize. What inspired him to do all of this? 

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18th in 1918, in a little village named Mvezo, in Transkei. The name he was born with was Rolihlahla but was given the name “Nelson” by his teacher. Rolihlahla means troublemaker. In his homeland they often refer to him as Madiba. Mandela was of the ethnic group Thembu. His main language is xhosa. 

Education

In 1939, Mandela started studying in the university of Fort Hare. He got expelled two years later because he led a group of students into a political strike. Instead he completed the Bachelor of arts degree by the university of South Africa. He started at Fort Hare again in 1943 but went over to law studies by Witwatersrand University. He never finished that degree, but he still passed the lawyer graduation in 1952 by the university of South Africa. Later he studied law in London. And in 1989 he completed his bachelor degree in law, by the South African University. 

Apartheid

As a young boy Mandela became an antiapartheid activist. The apartheid regime wanted a segregation especially between the black and white people. The white people would have all the benefits. The apartheid regime made ANC look like terrorists and communists. In 1944 Mandela helped to create the African National Congress Youth League. He became a high- ranked leader very quick. 

Prison time

After all this Mandela was arrested. He was arrested for betrayal in 1956 and he got 5 years for it. Illegal emigration and strike in 1962. Then he got lifetime for sabotage in 1963. More known as Rivonia trial. He was one of the most important prisoners, a political prisoner. The political prisoners had less privileges than other prisoners. Eighteen years of his 27 in prison, Mandela was on Robben Island. On Robben Island the prisoners were separated based on what race they were. Mandela had the lowest classification a prisoner could have. A D-classification. When he was in prison, his mother and oldest son died. His application was not granted. In 1985 president Botha, the president at that time, offered Mandela a conditional release if the ANC gave up the armed battle. Mandela would not give up what he stood for, so he said no. In 1989 Botha had to go off as president, because he was sick. The new president, named Frederik W de Klerk, chose to legalize ANC. He also announced that all the political prisoners were realized in 1990. 

The release

11th of February 1990 Mandela was realized. His realize was shown on television all over the world. He was driven in to Cape Town, were he held an official speech. Mandela declared “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal which I am prepared to die.” When he got out of prison he also leaded South Africa into a multiethnic democracy. 

Mandela had a mentor. His name was Walter Sislulu. Walter was the one who recruited Mandela to ANC. He saw very much potential in Mandela. Walter also helped Mandela to prepare to be a leader. He had a free expression for ideas and was independent by personal relations. He passed on all his knowledge to Mandela. 

Inspiration

Mandela was a born leader. He always took the leadership role. An example is when he was in prison, then he took the leadership role. One of the things that drove Mandela to do all the wonderful things he did was the injustice above his people. He became an inspiration for others very fast. Some of the tings Mandela stood for was solidarity, antiracism and human dignity. He was also really engaged in the fight against the apartheid policy. 

After Mandela died, people from all over the world honored him. As an example we have Barack Obamas press conference. “Nelson Mandela received more than what can be expected by any man. We have lost one of the most influential, bravest and sincere good humans that some of us ever will share time with.” 

Kilder:

-        https://www.geteverwise.com/mentoring/meet-the-mentor-who-inspired-mandela-to-inspire-millions/   (16/01-20)

-        https://snl.no/Nelson_Mandela  (16/01-20)

-        https://www.forentformenneskerettigheter.no/voices-for-human-rights/nelsonmandela.html  (16/01-20)

-        https://snl.no/apartheid  (16/01-20)

-        https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela (16/01-20)

-        https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/sid/i/yvG2r/hva-ville-nelson-mandela-gjort   (23/01-20)

-        https://www.bt.no/utenriks/i/dvBGo/lot-meg-inspirere-av-mandela (23/01-20)

-        https://www.aftenposten.no/verden/i/21rMr/hvorfor-vant-nelson-mandela-fredsprisen  (23/01-20)

-        https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela    (23/01-20)

-        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxig25Iq1iY    (03/02-20)

-https://allafrica.com/download/resource/main/main/idatcs/00010797:daf2fae771c79dec3c21da5d5cd7e366.pdf   (03/02-20)