Nelson Mandela: A Hero to All Mankind
AMDG
Chris Gunther
July 10, 2010
WHII
Nelson
Mandela: A Hero to All Mankind
Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” This
quote sums up Mandela’s attitude and shows his commitment, leadership, and
love. Nelson Mandela
achieved the Graduate at Graduation characteristics, as he was committed to
justice, sacrificing himself to achieve freedom for his people, was a leader in
collaboration, successfully working with others to lead South Africa to
greatness, and was loving of all people, friends and enemies.
Nelson Mandela began his commitment to justice
through events in his early life, and continued to develop it into gaining
freedom for all people. As a child, Mandela became committed to justice as he learned
the injustices of European colonial rule. “During his youth [Mandela listened]
to the elders of his village discuss the noble traditions of his people . . .
and the gallant struggles of resistance to European . . . rule” (Williams
2583). This shows how Mandela began his desire to fight for justice at a young
age, and would later continue to sacrifice himself to gain freedom. As Mandela
grew older, he became so committed to justice, that he would sacrifice
everything in order to achieve freedom for all his people, all South Africans.
In a speech Nelson Mandela made to South Africa and the world, he stated his
beliefs in the race-based social structure. “I have cherished the idea of a
democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and
in equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve
. . . for which I am prepared to die” (DISCovering World History). This shows that Mandela is willing to
sacrifice everything to achieve freedom, justice, and equality for all.
So committed to justice was Mandela, that he
continued to fight, and to hope, through the worst injustices of the apartheid
rule. Even faced with seemingly impossible tasks, Mandela knew his people
required him to keep fighting for freedom, and he never stopped. The African
National Congress, or ANC, was a group that fought for increased rights of all
South Africans, but the apartheid government had it banned in 1960, so “with the
ANC officially banned . . . [Mandela] was . . . faced with the formidable task
of building the ANC underground” which he did successfully, without losing
spirit (Williams 2584). This quote shows how after the ANC was banned, Mandela
never gave up hope, and continued to fight for justice secretly, inspiring
others with his commitment. In addition, even in one of the most depressing
places on earth, a prison on Robben Island, Mandela persuaded others to join
him in his commitment to end apartheid rule. Mandela was transferred to
Pollsmoor Prison after “exerting too great an influence on the other prisoners
at Robben Island” (Burns 186). This shows that nothing can limit Mandela’s
spirit, as he continues to fight to achieve justice through everything he
endured, including his isolation from the world while in prison.
Ready to try every way possible to end
apartheid rule, Nelson Mandela was willing to sacrifice himself and his beliefs
to gain justice. Mandela is able to sacrifice his own views and means of
gaining justice, and rather try any way to achieve freedom, conforming his
views to those of all South Africans. This is shown in the quote, “Mandela was
ready to try every possible technique to destroy apartheid peacefully, though
he, too, realized the futility of nonviolence” (Burns 185). Mandela was
determined to try to eliminate apartheid peacefully, but his commitment drove
him to violent measures to gain justice. Furthermore, Mandela was so committed
to justice, he was willing to sacrifice himself, and spend the majority of his
life in prison, in order to earn freedom for his people. After being found
guilty of an unjust law passed by the apartheid government, “Mandela . . . was
given a life sentence, which he began serving on Robben Island” in 1964. (Burns
186). This shows that Mandela was willing to fight the unjust laws of the
apartheid government for as long as it took to gain justice.
With such an unending spirit and so fully
committed to justice, nothing held Mandela back from continuing to fight for
freedom for all people. Nothing, not even serious personal problems, can hold
Mandela back. While in prison, Mandela was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but
he continued to fight for his goal upon his release, not letting anything stop
him (Williams 2585). This shows that Mandela continues to fight for justice
through his own problems that would hold back many other men. Another example
of Mandela’s full commitment to justice is apparent as he continues fighting
for freedom, even after apartheid was destroyed. In a speech on the Day of
Reconciliation, after becoming president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela states,
“we do know that healing the wounds of the past and freeing ourselves of its
burden will be a long and demanding task. This Day . . . celebrates the
progress, . . . reaffirms our commitment, and it measures the challenges” (Kader Asmal 137). Even after ending apartheid,
Mandela knew the fight for justice was not over, and he only reaffirms his vision
before fighting for it once again. Overall, Nelson Mandela shows he is fully
committed to justice as he sacrifices himself to attain it, never loses spirit
during rough times, and fights for the freedom of all people.
Nelson Mandela is able to unify people of
all backgrounds under his leadership, because of his personality, words, and
actions. Mandela was a natural born leader, and his personality helped him to
lead thousands in their fight for justice. Mandela’s characteristics are
thought of by many to aid him as a leader as “his natural charisma and
dauntless personality contributed significantly to his outstanding leadership
ability” (Williams 2584). This shows that from the start Mandela was a perfect
choice to be the one to unify and lead South Africa. He used his skills and
abilities to his advantage, ending apartheid with the help of many followers,
and gaining justice for them. Another of Mandela’s great leadership qualities
is his ability to use all his resources to unify everyone under his goals and
visions for his country. Mandela is able to unify South Africa, both blacks and
whites, by inspiring their national rugby team to win the world cup, and give
all citizens something they can enjoy together as one country (Invictus). Mandela
shows he is a skilled leader in collaboration, as he uses the national team of
South Africa to unify the whites, blacks, and all races of his country. In
addition, Mandela is an extraordinary leader, as he not only asks people to
follow, but rather earns their trust by leading through example. “Mandela is
able to persuade others to trust him to lead, as he leads by example to create
a unified South Africa” (Kader
Asmal 137). This shows Mandela
is able to lead South Africa to greatness because he attracts followers by
acting out his goal, not just speaking it.
With the ability to effectively work with
others, Mandela earns his way to being the main leader in the fight against
apartheid. Mandela was able to work in collaboration so well that he eventually
became president of South Africa, and led his country to greatness. Mandela traveled a long journey,
working with others, to go from a common man to a leader in the movement to
destroy apartheid (Mandela: an Illustrated Autobiography 44). Because Mandela had such great
leadership qualities, and was able to work with others, he earned his way to
becoming the leader in the fight against the racist government. Another example
of Mandela’s ability to lead in collaboration is shown as he works with the
leader of the government he has dedicated his life to destroying, and can still
grant freedom to his people. At the Convention for a Democratic South Africa,
“Mandela and de Klerk led the negotiations and their efforts . . . won them the
Nobel Peace Prize” (Burns 186). This
shows how Mandela can effectively work with everyone, even former enemies, to bring
South Africa together toward greatness.
By inspiring his people with his own actions
and achievements, Mandela is able to efficiently lead them. Mandela was an
educated man, and he successfully used his intelligence to win his own trials
in court, lead thousands of people, and negotiate with other men, like de
Klerk. While still in his youth, “Mandela [attended] law school and
establish[ed] South Africa’s first black law firm in Johannesburg in 1952” (Contemporary Black Biography Vol. 77). Mandela inspires his people by
becoming a lawyer, as it shows he is still able to achieve greatness even under
the harsh, white-minority rule. It also shows, that under Mandela’s leadership,
everyone will be able to achieve greatness in South Africa. Also, Mandela was
able to unite not only South Africa, but many other nations as well in the
fight against apartheid, using his skills as a leader in collaboration. While
in prison, Mandela still influenced other people and countries, and “after 27
years, the white leadership headed the calls from citizens of numerous nations
to release the most important political prisoner, . . . Nelson Mandela” (African Biography). This shows how Mandela was able to
inspire members of all backgrounds to join and follow his leadership to achieve
their universal goal of freedom. Another of Mandela’s leadership qualities is
evident as he is able to inspire others to join his fight for justice even
while escaping arrest. After defying an unjust law, a warrant was sent out for
Mandela’s arrest, however “he was able to evade being arrested [and] . . .
these efforts . . . were very inspiring to his people, as he secretly toured
the country meeting with people” (Williams 2584). This shows how, no matter
what, Mandela will continue attracting followers to join his cause, unify South
Africa, and lead his country to greatness. In conclusion, Nelson Mandela is a
leader in collaboration, as he can work efficiently with anyone, to unite
people, and inspire them through his speeches and actions.
Loving of all races and backgrounds,
Mandela fights for freedom in a way that is not harmful to anyone. Mandela
truly loves all people, not only the black South Africans, as he tries to win
freedom for every man and woman, regardless of race, religion, culture, or
anything else. In a speech Nelson
Mandela made to all citizens of South Africa he stated, “my hunger for the
freedom of my people became a hunger for the freedom of all people . . .
oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed” (Williams 2586). This
shows that Mandela loves both friends and enemies, as his real goal is to
achieve freedom and justice for all South Africans. Another occasion in which
Mandela showed unmatched love that very few people could, occurred as he forgave
the people he had been fighting against, the people that kept him isolated from
the world for nearly 30 years. After
being held prisoner for 27 years, Mandela is able to forgive the ones that
imprisoned him, rather than trying to gain revenge (Kader Asmal 138). This action shows Mandela truly
loved everyone, including his enemies, as he can forgive the government that
basically took his life away. In addition, Mandela, much like Gandhi in India, wanted
to destroy the unjust government peacefully because he loved everyone, even his
enemies. “The Youth League [led by Mandela] responded to the racist political climate
by calling for civil disobedience” (Contemporary Black Biography Vol. 14). This quote shows that even while
fighting against the white-minority rule, Mandela did not want to attack them, and
encouraged nonviolence instead.
Mandela loved all people, and so in return
received love from his fellow Africans, along with people of all nations and
races. Even though not a clan chief, Mandela earns an honorary title by showing
love to all South Africans. Mandela “is revered to as Madiba, an honorary title
for elders in his clan that has become synonymous with him among South
Africans” (Williams 2586). As Mandela loved, he received love back, and so
received the honorary title Madiba from his clan, and eventually all of South
Africa. Moreover, Mandela was shown
love while in prison, as he was never forgotten, rather remembered as a brave
man and a saint. While Mandela was isolated in prison, “the black people of
South Africa never forgot their fearless hero . . . he assumed the mantle of
martyrdom” (African Biography). Mandela’s
unending dedication and love is reflected as everyone remembers Mandela for his
lovingness during the 27 years he was locked up on Robben Island. Mandela also received
love upon his release from prison, as thousands greeted him, returning the
unending love he had shown. In a speech shortly after being released from Robben
Island, Mandela talked about his release from prison, and said, “I was
completely overwhelmed . . . I saw a tremendous commotion and a great crowd of
people . . . as well as thousands of well-wishers. I was astounded” (African Biography). This shows the love Mandela received
from thousands of people from across the globe, for his unending dedication to
grant all people freedom.
Mandela loved the ideal of freedom for all so
much that nothing could stop him from reaching that ultimate goal. Mandela
loved his cause, and his people so much, that nothing could stop him from
continuing to fight for justice. “Despite his [imprisonment] Mandela’s spirit
and commitment to ending apartheid had not diminished” (Williams 2585). Mandela
loved everyone, and wanted justice for everyone, so even after nearly 30 years
in prison, he continues fighting, risking himself and his own life once again. In
addition, even after defeating apartheid, Mandela continues to be loving, and
focuses his attention on helping others in need, because he cannot live in a
world where injustices still exist. While fighting for justice for his own
South Africans, Mandela also put his positive reputation to work, by starting
charities such as the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, and by donating money to
help treat AIDS for Africans in need (Contemporary Black Biography Vol. 77). Mandela truly shows love to everyone
as he continues helping others even after achieving his goal and ending
apartheid. Overall, Nelson Mandela was a loving man, as he fought for freedom
for all people, and received a great deal of love in return.
In conclusion, Nelson Mandela is a perfect
candidate for the Graduate at Graduation requirements, because he exhibited a
commitment to justice, fighting for freedom through all challenges, the
qualities of a leader in collaboration, working well with others to lead, and
love, caring for friends as well as enemies.
Works Cited Page
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Rolihlahla Mandela." Encyclopedia of
World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol.
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Clint Eastwood. Perf. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Warner Bros. Pictures,
2009. DVD
Mandela, Nelson. "Birth of a Freedom Fighter." Mandela:
an Illustrated Autobiography. Boston:
Little, Brown, 1996. 35-49. Print.
Mandela,
Nelson. "Reconciliation Day." Nelson Mandela: in His Own Words.
Ed. Kader Asmal, David
Chidester, and Wilmot James. New York: Little, Brown, 2003. 137-38. Print.
"Mandela's
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Reproduced in Biography
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Michael W. "Nelson Mandela." Great Lives from History the 20th
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