Nelson Mandela
When we look at the history of India and the world, we realise that many people who belonged to certain communities had to face discrimination at the hands of others who thought they were superior. They were discriminated against because of their skin colour, race, gender, caste and many other things. But to ensure the people who were discriminated against were treated fairly, a person named Nelson Mandela made efforts his whole life.
Nelson Mandela, whose full name was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, was born on 18th July 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa. His father was the chief of a tribe named the Tembu, and his great-grandfather was the tribe’s king. After studying at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, Nelson Mandela moved to the city of Johannesburg for studying law and became a lawyer at just the age of 24.
After becoming a lawyer, he realised that the black community in South Africa was facing huge discrimination. It was because the country was run by white people who thought they were superior because of their better houses and jobs than the black people. Nelson Mandela felt that the black community should also have equal rights as the white community. So, in 1944, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress to advocate for giving equal rights to the black community.
But in 1948, the South African government introduced a system named ‘apartheid’ which established racist laws forcing black people to live separate from where the white people stayed. The black community was banned from entering white areas, attending the same school as white children, or taking a bus together. Nelson Mandela formed the ANC Youth League and gained the support of the people to force the National Party to stop the racist laws.
In 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested by the National Party with the blame that he wanted to overthrow the government and remained in prison for the next 27 years. After leaving prison in 1989, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa in 1994 after his efforts allowed the black community to vote. A year before becoming president, Nelson Mandela was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
Nelson Mandela’s spirit and values are still remembered as a symbol of peace and equality. The day of his birthday, 18th July, is celebrated as Nelson Mandela Day every year to honour his legacy and teach us that we should always fight peacefully for what’s right.
