Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Nelson Mandela (http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=75567&rendTypeId=4)

Nelson Mandela is a former President of South Africa, who has dedicated his life to human and racial rights, and fighting against racial domination. Because of his involvement in this movement, he sacrificed 27 years of his life in prison. Nelson Mandela is my hero because he fought for what he believed in and never gave up. Even through his time in prison he worked and persevered to change apartheid.

Nelson Mandela was born in the small village of Mvezo in South Africa. His father was the councillor to the Chief of Thembuland, until his position was taken by Colonial authorities. The Mandela family moved to Qunu shortly after Nelson's father's degradation. His father had four wives, and among them, thirteen children. Nelson's actual name (Rolihlahla) means "to pull a branch from a tree", or in more simple terms, "Trouble maker". Nelson's father passed away from tuberculosis when Nelson was nine, and he was informally adopted by Jongintaba Dalindyebo, who was the Chief of Thembuland.

ANC's Flag (http://www.1uptravel.com/flag/images/z/za%7Danc.gif)

Nelson Mandela was the first person in his family to be educated. While attending school, Nelson was named by a teacher. When he was seven, his teacher had trouble pronouncing his name, Rolihlahla, so the teacher began calling him Nelson, after the British admiral, Horatio Nelson. Rolihlahla attended a Wesleyan missionary school until he was 16, when he was sent to the Clarkeburry Boarding Institute. He received his Junior Certificate in just two years, when normally it would be achieved after 3 years. After boarding school, Rolihlahla attended a Wesleyan college in Fort Beaufort, and then attended Fort Hare University for his B.A, and later he became a lawyer. When studying to become a lawyer, he joined the African National Congress (ANC).

Rolihlahla and his friend from University, Oliver Tambo, opened a law firm together, providing low, or no cost for their legal assistance, to help black people who would be un-represented without it. This was because the apartheid government elected in 1948 had a racial segregation policy. Mandela was a part of a non-violent South African anti-apartheid mass struggle, and 150 people were taken into custody, charged with treason against the National Party (the governing party at the time), but all were acquitted.

Nelson Mandela in the Robben Island Jail (http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/54678/Mandela_94.jpg)

Rolihlahla became the leader of the ANC's armed wing, which he co-funded. The wing's purpose was to be a back up plan to free South Africa from apartheid.

Nelson Mandela was arrested on August 5, 1962 for leading a strike in 1961 and leaving the country illegally. He was sentenced to five years in prison. After two years of being imprisoned, leaders (including Nelson Mandela), of the ANC were arrested and sentenced to imprisonment for life on Robben Island for sabotage, involvement in planning armed action and, conspiracy (trying to help other countries invade South Africa).

On February 2, 1990, the ban on anti-apartheid organizations was lifted and it was announced that Nelson Mandela would soon be released. The event would be broadcast live all over the world. After his triumphant release, Mandela returned to the ANC and became leader of the party, which won the next election, making Nelson Mandela the first black president of South Africa.

While Mandela was president, he spirited the transition of a segregated country to a free democratic country. He became very well known and respected all around the world, and he has been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end apartheid.

After Nelson Mandela retired, he became very active in HIV/AIDS fundraising campaigns and other AIDS-related organizations. He has also become an advocate in many social and human rights organizations.

I believe that a true hero is someone who fights with conviction for what they believe in whatever the circumstances, someone who goes to amazing lengths to change the world for the better. That is why Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is my hero.