Nelson
Mandela
& South
African
Apartheid
Francy Aramendiz
1918 -- 2013
Rolihlahla Mandela was born in
Transkei, South Africa on July
18, 1918. His first name could
be interpreted, prophetically, as
"troublemaker." The Nelson was
added later, by a teacher.
PREDICT: Do you think Mandela
lived up to his name as a
troublemaker?
• Mandela grew up on cattle
herding farm until the death of his
father. Mandela then lived with a
powerful relative, the acting
regent of the Thembu people.
• Years of daily exposure to the
inhumanities of apartheid, where
being black reduced one to the
status of a non-person, kindled in
him a kind of absurd courage to
change the world
His Start
• 1942 – Law degree from Univ.
S. Africa
• 1952 – African National
Congress (A.N.C.) deputy
national president
• Passive Resistance to Apartheid
• At first, Mandela opted for nonviolence as a strategy to defeat apartheid. He became
involved in programs that fought against the laws that forced blacks to carry passes.
Persecution
• Despite the peaceful protests, the government decided to charge protestors at one
event of “treason,” including Mandela. The trial dragged on for five years, until 1961,
ending in the acquittal of all 156 accused. Mandela was a free man, sort of.
Persecution
• But by the time Mandela was
acquitted, South Africa had been
convulsed by the massacre of 69
peaceful black demonstrators at
Sharpeville in March 1960. They were
killed by the South African government
who wanted to stop the resistant
movement. All of them were innocent,
peaceful protestors.
After the Sharpesville
Massacre
• After the massacre, black South Africans were outraged.
•
• Many South Africans realized that peaceful protests and
civil disobedience would not overturn apartheid. As a result,
many turned to violence as a means to end apartheid.
•
• What’s your opinion? Do you think that violence is ever
okay? Is there ever a time when something is so bad, that
violence is necessary? Or is violence never the answer?
Persecution
• The government didn’t stop with the Sharpesville Massacre. Most liberation
movements, including the A.N.C., were banned.
• Predict: What do you think Mandela did after the government banned his organization,
the A.N.C.?
Resistance
• So what did Mandela do when his organization, the A.N.C. was banned by the
government? Well, he traveled to other countries to recruit people to join the A.N.C.
(African National Congress) a liberation organization and he continued to organize
resistance against Apartheid.
• Predict: How do you think the government felt about Mandela recruiting people to this
“outlawed” organization?
Jailed at
Robben Island
• When Mandela returned to
the country, he was arrested
again and awaited trial in a
prison on Robben Island.
• Mandela was sure he would
be sentenced to death…
Resistance
• Mandela was prepared to die for his beliefs:
• "During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. 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 for which I am prepared to die.“ –
Nelson Mandela
• What words from Mandela’s statement show that he was prepared to do ANYTHING, even die, for the
cause?
Life in Prison
• But Mandela was not
executed. Instead he was
convicted of sabotage and
sentenced to life in prison.
• He would serve 27 years in
prison before being released.
Most of his sentence was
served in one tiny cell. The only
time Mandela was let out of his
cell was to perform
backbreaking labor.
“Freedom in Our Lifetime!”
• After more than two decades in prison, Mandela decided on a new approach. He was
escorted to the State President's office to start negotiating not only his own release but
also the nation's transition from apartheid to democracy.
• On Feb. 2, 1990, President F.W. de Klerk lifted the ban on the A.N.C. and announced
Mandela's imminent release. Mandela was free at last!
27 Years in Jail!
Victories!
• 1990 – Mandela is released from prison
• 1993 – Mandela earns the Nobel Peace Prize
• 1993, 1994 – South Africa begins writing a draft for the new constitution
• 1994 - First multiracial election
After Apartheid
• After Apartheid, Mandela had to calm white fears and
unite the people.
• Why do you think many whites were afraid?
• The patience, the wisdom, the visionary quality
Mandela brought to his struggle, and above all the moral
integrity with which he set about to unify a divided
people, resulted in the country's first democratic
elections…
• And Mandela was elected President!
• “Mandela proves through his own example that faith,
hope and charity are qualities attainable by humanity as a
whole. Through his willingness to walk the road of
sacrifice, he has reaffirmed our common potential to
move toward a new age of equality.”
Now
• Today Nelson Mandela has retired from political life, but continues to speak out
against injustice anywhere in the world!
• In South Africa, his effect can be felt everywhere… in non-segregated classrooms, in
non-discriminating work environments, in equal living conditions, and beyond!
• Mandela’s legacy is one of
strength and sacrifice!
• And it will live long into the
future!
• December 3, 2013 Mandela
died.
