South African icon Nelson Mandela, best known for becoming the first black president of South Africa and his anti-apartheid reforms, passed away at the age of 95.
Mandela was receiving medical care at his home in Johannesburg when it was announced last night (19:00 GMT) that he passed away at the age of 95. Mandela had been hospitalized for three months due to a lung infection.
Despite the bad news, I write with great honor about such an empowering human being— a man, who took the principles of Mohandas Gandhi, fought fire with peace, failed, and eventually succeeded. As a tribute to his achievements of social justice, let’s take a glimpse of his incredible life.
Mandela’s early years
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mveso, Trankskei, South Africa. After his father’s young death, Mandela at the age of nine was adopted by Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, a man forever grateful to Mandela’s father for recommending him to be made chief.
As an adolescent, he practiced in tribal rituals with great pride. Since then, Mandela became inspired to make a difference as tribe leaders spoke so negatively of the future of his race’s youth in South Africa. In 1939 he entered the only institution who allowed higher learning for blacks, University of College of Fort Hare. During his second year, he was expelled for stepping down from the Student Council as he joined his peers in a boycott against the student council’s lack of power.
He visited his adoptive father, who greeted him with open arms. Unfortunately for Mandela, he had arranged a marriage for him, which resulted in Mandela running away to Johannesburg. He worked various jobs while completing his studies through distant learning, then enrolled at the University of Wiwatersrand to continue his law studies.
Gaining momentum
Shortly after completing his studies he became involved in politics. He joined the anti-apartheid group known as the African National Congress in 1942, where he cofounded its Youth League. The league had a goal of gaining full citizenship and wanted to inform and gain a following from the rural workers and working classes of South Africa. The ANC followed suit in 1949, and left its petitioning methods behind to partake in the Youth League methods of boycotting, strikes, and civil disobedience. Mandela worked his way up to superintendent of the ANC’s Transvaal chapter where he served as a lawyer as well.
Imprisonment
In 1962, he was arrested and prosecuted for cofounding the Umkhonto we Sizwe (or MK), a sabotage campaign against the existing apartheid government. He was sentenced to life in prison for attempting to overthrow the government.
Of his 95 years lived he spent 27 in prison. His conviction generated international controversy, leading to a globally funded campaign for his release, finally granted in 1990. After talking with the current president, Mandela was finally able to push for multiracial presidential elections in 1994. He became the first candidate of the ANC party followed by the first black President of South Africa.
Personally, I find Nelson Mandela was, and always will be, one of the three most inspiring activists (the other two being Mohandas Gandhi and Victor Hugo). Despite all of his accomplishments, what separates Mandela from most of us was his humbleness and ability to forgive. He didn’t think highly of himself, but equal instead.
Rest In everlasting Peace, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.