Nelson Mandela free essay sample

Early on the experiences Mandela witnessed would shape his life. As a young child, Mandela had someone to Model the Way for him. He was the son of a chief, and was groomed to serve as a leader. This experience exposed him to wealth and authority. â€Å"By attending meetings Nelson learned how to give counsel to a king. † (Deluca 2000, 64) Early on Mandela began to question and review many dark aspects of his society. As we have discussed previously, all leaders face a turning point in life when they begin to ask questions and eventually Challenge the Process. One must have a challenge to become a leader. Leaders observe when need are not being met and rise to the occasion. (James Kouzes, Barry Posner 2000, 18) Nelson was receiving a rigorous education that would garner anyone in his place, the status and respect of an English gentleman. (Deluca 2000, 64) It was during this time, Mandela search for his own identity began. We will write a custom essay sample on Nelson Mandela or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Nelson joined with students from various backgrounds and was exposed to new ideas. Mandela felt he was being groomed for success. When World War II started many students began to argue that the British had oppressed the African people. The turning point came in his college life. Hence, the turning point came when students began to express dissatisfaction with food at the university where Mandela was attending. Members of the student council decided to resign and call for a boycott of the new elections, if their needs were not met. (Deluca 2000, 65) Mandela was one of those who decided to resign. Mandela subsequently, faced the possibility of expulsion. However, the university decided to give him another chance by allowing him to go home over the summer break and review the consequences of his actions. Mandela remained true to his convictions and refused to compromise. (Deluca 2000, 66) An aspect of Modeling behavior, Mandela exhibited. Leaders must be consistent in their behavior and stand by their beliefs. Model behavior fosters respect. Leaders give a Clear Distinct Voice to Their Values Leaders must find their voice, and then they must give a clear distinct voice to their values. Furthermore, it is important to set an example, as a leader one must understand that is imperative to do so. Once respect is lost it is hard to gain that respect back. Mandela took his role seriously. The election of 1948 was a pivotal point of history in South Africa. The importance of this election was due to the struggle for Black Freedom and independence. (Deluca 2000, 68) The election led to the introduction of apartheid (segregation). Apartheid was built on with supremacy. In protest, Mandela who was the Youth League president in the ANC African National Congress (ANC) agreed to join South African communists and Indian in a Defense campaign. Mandela was responsible for recruiting volunteers. Charisma Nelson Mandela had a wonderful figure, was handsome, and well dressed. He possessed another trait of leader, charisma. It quickly became apparent to friend and foe alike that Mandela was a born mass leader who possessed a commanding, magnetic appeal. (Deluca 2000,70) The campaign led to the arrest of the campaign’s leaders. These leaders included Mandela. Even so, the campaign had an impact on the ANC. The African National Congress (ANC) was no longer elitist in nature, but was open to mass participation and ideas. Mandela said he felt empowered by the roll he played in recruiting as well as his roll in the campaign effort. He felt the campaign gave him a sense of dignity. During this time, Mandela and other leaders of the African National Congress were banned. This meant that the government could restrict travel and prevent them from seeking and participating in activism and prevent them from organizing. Leaders have a Mission and Purpose The government of South Africa furthered their cause by instituting more laws and restrictions against Black South Africans. Nelson Mandela became increasingly adamant about fighting for equality. Mandela’s idea of equality included black and whites. His life as an advocate for change thrust him onto the political stage. (Deluca 2000, 72) Mandela was now a â€Å"freedom fighter†. Leaders Value Their Base-Constituents The new leader valued remembering and staying in touch with his roots. Mandela faced the new challenges confronting him and published a series of articles in a journal called, â€Å"Liberation† from June of 1953 to May 1959. Mandela exposed the widespread suffering inadequacies placed on Black South Africans. Food disease and medical attention were all lacking in the Black community. Mandela continued his expressions in direct defiance of South African law. In 1962, he traveled to Addis Ababa and was able to see black people in positions of power and authority. His experience in Addis Ababa opened his eyes to the possibility in South Africa of attaining real equality. When Nelson returned home to South Africa, in August of 1962, he was charged with having left the country illegally and inciting a workers strike. Nelson received a five-year sentence for leaving the country. His sentence also marked the beginning of his international fame. Mandela was quoted as saying, â€Å"nothing is more dehumanizing than the absence f human companionship. † In 1963 Rivonia, the place where the African Nation Congress held their meetings, was discovered. Authorities raided the site and found document incriminating Mandela. Mandela and his colleagues in the ANC were charged with sabotage and faced the death penalty. Evidence against them included guerilla warfare. There were documents that bore the signature of Nelson Mandela. All of Mandela†™s colleagues pleaded not guilty. They used the trial to voice their concerns about the inequality of apartheid. Leaders Demonstrate a Hardy Personality Mandela was able to demonstrate a truly hardy personality; where most people would have lost their will to live, Mandela flourished. In prison he honed his skilled as a true diplomat. His ability to negotiated in this have environment was awe-inspiring for me. Mandela confronted inhuman conditions, psychological abuse, and the corrupt use of a classification system. He was allowed to write home once every six months. Family members could only meet for thirty minutes. Visits were rarely approved so meetings were significant, because it may be years before he might see his family. Nelson Mandela was denied the right of attending his mother’s funeral as well as his son’s. What is most extraordinary, is that his resolution to continue to fight against injustice did not waiver. Mandela did not relent when faced with adversity. His persistence paid off he was able to get considerable privileges for himself and other inmates, which included the right to enroll in correspondence courses and study for degrees. Outside of prison, Mandela was willing to fight for and die for his beliefs. His commitment to his cause endeared him to so many, both black and white South Africans. Where ever he went, Mandela was able to inspire people to take up the cause of ending apartheid. It was apparent that he believed in his goals and the idea that it was worthwhile to fight against inequalities. Hardy personalities always seem to see past the adversity that is being experienced, and notice that to succeed we must learn from our adversity. A change was coming, 1999 marked a significant turning point in Mandela’s confined life. He would encounter the newly elected F. W. de Klerk NP leader. F. W. de Klerk called for a new constitution. He was elected president in September and ordered the unconditional release of ANC political prisoners. They were allowed to hold a political rally on December 13th and de Klerk met with Mandela to discuss the future of South Africa. It was apparent to all that Mandela held a significant position of power in South African politics. No one expected the alarming changes about to take place. The Separate Amenities Act of 1953 was repealed and Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned for twenty-seven years would be released unconditionally. Mandela noted immediately that after his release, universal suffrage in a united, democratic and nonracial South Africa is the only way to peace and racial harmony. (12) (Glad and Blanton 1997) Throughout all of his sufferings, Nelson was able to Encourage the Hearts of Others. True Leaders Value Teamwork Mandela was a selfless man and did not think in regards to race but in regards to equality. During his years in prison, Mandela became the embodiment of the struggle against apartheid. This impact was felt not only in South Africa but the world. Mandela was admired by people from almost every background and inspired so many people to fight against injustice. He was a charismatic leader to his followers. Mandela upheld the vision of a new South Africa, which many people could see themselves in. He made a point during the transitional period when power, would not rest solely in the hands of whites South Africans, but in the hands of all South Africans. Suffrage would be extended to all South Africans for the first time Blacks would have say in South African politics. Many white South Africans were fearful at this point in time, assuming that black would come to dominate they society. Mandela took on the task of reassuring white South Africans that there was nothing to fear and that they would be treated fairly. South Africa was to be a place of peace. The new South Africa envisioned by Mandela was free from black dominance and white dominance over the people. He empowered people to envision the future. Nelson Mandelas vision of a new regime also suggested a polity in which the government actively promoted the general welfareof whites as well as blacks. (Glad and Blanton 1997) Leaders Posses a Clear Vision A leader must have a clear vision to maintain leadership in the public sector. Mandela possessed such a vision and was able to express that vision in a way that people were able to see themselves in. He was able to forecast the future and give a vision of the possibilities to enable others to act. As a result of his diligent efforts he was able to inspire people to work with him in order to achieve a common goal. Mandela truly understood the value of teamwork and that by working together you could realize your goals. He tapped into the hope, aspirations, and emotions, of large populations. † (Glad and Blanton 1997) Mandela was a classical leader in the truest sense. He was willing to take risks personal and political and make sacrifices to secure his objectives. There has hardly ever been anyone in the last century or before to become transformed from captive into global icon with greater esteem than was Nelson Mandela. He came out strong and competent in mind and will. Most would have lost there determination and I am sure that imprisonment was meant to do just that. It is clear to see that Mandela was destined to rule. As leaders do that are willing to take risks when they see the opportunity. No one is perfect and leaders know that. The difference is that leaders, no matter whether they are on the world stage or out of the public eye, is that they are willing to listen to others and learn from the mistakes. In the summer of 1990, Margaret Thatcher described Nelson Mandela as a terrorist. The African National Congress (ANC) was a terrorist organization. In 1995, Thatcher led a standing ovation for Mandela at the Great Hall of Westminster. Nelson Mandela free essay sample On 5th December 2013, one of the most greatest moral and political leaders of our time, a man who has dedicated his life to fight against the racial unjust treatment of the apartheid regime( a policy of discrimination on grounds of race) in South Africa, the man who became the world most famous prisoner, man who became the first democratically chosen black president of South Africa and the man who won the Nobel Peace Prize, Nelson Mandela died peacefully at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, at the age of 95. He was buried in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape. Generally, when most people think of a prominent figure in South Africa, one name that always comes to our mind is, Nelson Mandela. Im sure, just about everyone has heard the name Nelson Mandela once in their lifetime before, but who exactly is he? What has he done? Why is he so important? Well, no doubt Nelson Mandela is a very significance man. We will write a custom essay sample on Nelson Mandela or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Like everyone else, I have heard of Nelson Mandela over the years but never knew who he really was. In researching about him, I have discovered that he is a peace activist and freedom fighter and also a true man to be reckon with his contributions to the world which he has fought against segregation in his home country, Africa, and has affected the entire world today and tomorrow. His courageous journey has made him a true hero of his day, and to generations following. Everything that Mandela has done everything that hes been through, and everything that he’s said has made an impact on the world. It is astonishing how Mandela has accomplished his mission to change the world, and his struggles through segregation, prisons, and life have rewarded him with fame all across the world. He has and will be always known as a hero in the war of segregation and racism throughout the ages, and his story will beyond doubt be told time and time again. It is undoubtedly that Nelson Mandela was and will always be the most important leader in South African history. He has also acted as a symbol for equal civil rights in the whole world and through these, I had admired his willpower which is to stand up for ourselves even if it drastically affects our life. As mentioned earlier, I spend a good fraction of my research reading about Nelson Mandela and the ANC. Staying in a multiracial country where the relationship between multi-racial society which includes the Malays, Chinese and Indians are so close and they all form a close-knit community that doesn’t discriminate people by their skin color. So, Excuse me sir, may I see your pass? Means very little to me compare to all the black South African. These words struck fear in the hearts of black South Africans during the times of apartheid. While apartheid was being practiced, blacks were restricted with the facilities they could use, restricted in the jobs they could hold, as well as the places they could be, and all blacks had to carry passes for identification purposes. If the passes were not in order, the carrier was subject to arrest. Through these terrifying times, one man raised above all the rest in the effort to battle this terrible practice of apartheid. The man was none other than Nelson Mandela, a man who was so dedicated to the cause of the downfall of apartheid that he was willing to spend twenty-seven years of his live in prison for the cause. Being born into one of the most miscellaneous areas of Africa, Qunu, which was located in the Transkei territory of South Africa, Nelson Mandela had witnessed firsthand discrimination against the black Africans. His father was the head of their clan, and was frequently fighting for the rights of blacks in that area of South Africa as well. Mandela was conditioned from a young age to be a figure of great impact to his people. Even as a child, Mandela was groomed by the Paramount Chief of his tribe to eventually hold a position of leadership from his upbringing. Being in the leadership, Mandela was taught a strict work ethic, and learned the value of dedication. Obviously, this dedication served Mandela well in his attempt to impact the lives of his people. Imagine growing up in a country where drinking out of the wrong water fountain might get you thrown into jail. Where a man might have the very same job as his neighbor, but because of the color of his skin get paid less in a year than the other man made in a week. Even the government told you that your ancestors and their ways of living were wrong and savage and not even human. Sounds like some revolutionary film, doesnt it? Well, for Nelson Mandela, this was no movie. Growing up in South Africa under the apartheid system of government meant these things, and worst, were part of his daily life. It was these sufferings of his people that encouraged him to become a lawyer. Mandela had gone to many different universities to study Law, even going outside of the country at times. After finishing law school Mandela, was admitted to the African National Congress, also known as the ANC, which had the main goal of giving more rights to the black South African people. After joining the ANC, Mandela slowly turn South Africa into a racially equal nation. He was a fighter, instead of bowing down to this unjust system of government, he became a lifelong warrior in the conflict to free South Africa. He did that by playing a part in many dramatic demonstrations against the white-ruled government. As the years passed by, the movement against segregation and apartheid grew stronger and stronger when new laws limiting the freedom of black people in South Africa even more were passed. In 1960, South African officials shut down the African National Congress. Furious, Mandela proposed a plan to form a small army to reprove the government with violent military exercises. This small force became known as Umkhonto we Sizwe Spear of the Nation. Spear was formed to combat, by using violent methods, the ruthless repression by the government. Mandela believed, as the Spear of the Nation manifesto stated: The time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices submit or fight. That time has now come for South Africa. We shall not submit and we have no choice but to hit back by all means in our power, in defense of our people, our future and our freedom. Spears main target was the power plants, railways and telephone lines and it was critical to the country’s economy. Besides that, this organization also enforced strict rules against injuring or killing anyone. By now, Mandela was working underground and the most difficult part from this decision is to abandone his family. When he left he said that he will be going for a long time. Fortunately, after complicated arrangements, Mandela was able to see his wife, Winnie and sometimes the children. Those times would come without any warning. Winnie will be told to get in a car. Then a while later, another car will take over and after ten cars, that will the moment she will be with her husband. All this was cut short and Mandela’s luck ran out. On August 5, 1962, after being a fugitive for nearly eighteen months, Nelson Mandela was captured. He was convicted with sabotage and was sent to prison for five years. All this happen because Mandela was betrayed by informers who found Verwoerd government’s bonuses were so hard to resist and they also paid well. The next year, many fellow leaders of the African National Congress and the Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested and put on trial. The year after, Mandela was sentenced to life in prison with eight other leaders that were on trial. But, despite the fact that he might never see a view other than from his jail cell again, Mandela didnt let that small setback bring him down on his mission or his effort to stop apartheid. Although Mandela was broken off from the rest of the world in prison, he gained more and more fame during this time. Many youths in South Africa joined in on the fight against segregation, and Mandela was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a powerful symbol of resistance. Many people began to support Mandelas policies to stop apartheid in South Africa, and his former business partner Oliver Tambo organized a campaign to release Mandela from prison. Many people supported this effort to release Mandela, and the pressure was on. Eventually, in early February 1990, de Klerk the president of South Africa made the long-awaited announcement that the government would be releasing Mandela within days. He said; I am now in a position to announce that Mr. Nelson Mandela  will be released at the Victor Verster Prison. We would all like Mr. Mandels’s release to take place in a dignified and orderly manner. The news conference announcing that Mandela would be released was seen live throughout the world. At 4. 15 P. M, Sunday, February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison for the first time in ten thousand days. He was seventy-one years old. Not only the release that brought joy to the people, indeed the African National Congress was up and running again which means it is operating legally now. In addition to that, Mandela had brought himself back up out of the darkness and was giving new light and hopes to the people of South Africa who stood by him sinc Three years later, Mandela was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his heroic fight in the war of segregation. The year after, in 1994, Mandela was unanimously voted as president in the new democracy of South Africa. This was the first time in the history of South Africa where all races were allowed to vote together in a diverse election together, in harmony. He had finally accomplished his goal of getting rid of apartheid in South Africa, and left his footprint while doing so. His mission was finally accomplished. Many things have changed in South Africa and around the world in Nelson Mandelas long lifetime, and still will. He has had quite a ride in his life which includes being jailed for almost thirty years and then becoming one of the most popular presidents in South Africa, but despite all that, Mandelas changing actions have led the world a step closer into the light, and away from the darkness of racism and hostility. It’s astonishing how one man could pull of so much in one lifetime, but he somehow made his dreams of defeating apartheid once and for all into a reality. He is known as a true hero, and fought against many villains in his life in order to bring justice to everyone. He accomplished his mission to get rid of segregation in South Africa with flying colors, and made an impact not only to people in South Africa but to everyone around the world. His journey that took him down to the depths of darkness and brought him to the highest peaks of honor has inspired people for decades. The most important aspect that has to take into account is that when Mandela makes his audience aware of his dedication to the freedom struggle by saying, You can see that there is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountain tops of our desire. This quote comes from Mandelas address to the ANC Transvaal Congress in 1953, and shows the dedication he was willing to put forth to the freedom struggle. It was because of this dedication that Mandela was able to unite the people in a fight for freedom, and eventually bringing apartheid and the government of the National Party to an end. To conclude this, I would like to evaluate the impact Mandela, had on people around the world. To do so, I will explain about what I have learned from Nelson Mandela while doing my research. While researching Mandela, I came across a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the quote said, â€Å"I will stand here for humanity†. I think this quote is an admirable explanation of how I view Nelson Mandela as a person. This is because, Mandelas handwork to overturn apartheid can really be admired by all of humanity, not just because he was dedicated to put an end to an evil system, but because of the manner in which he did so. Besides that, another important aspect that I have learned was the fact that Mandela was against racism of any kind, and he was not just concerned about his own people. There is one particularly quote which I found to be very heartbreaking has it shows the way how Mandela explains about his effort to end racism. The quote says, â€Å"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunity†. This dedication to democracy and loving your fellow man is something that I believe should be applied throughout the world. None of Mandelas goals would have been accomplished if it were not for Mandelas aforementioned dedication, as well as his readiness to sacrifice. These are the qualities for which Mandela must be greatly admired. For those throughout the world fighting for cruelty, Mandela can serve as an example of the action necessary to triumph in struggle. Because of his democratic attitude as well as his determination, I believe that Nelson Mandela truly does stand here on earth for humanity, as an example of what we should all make every effort for. Today, thanks to the unselfishness of Nelson Mandela, apartheid has been banned. This shows that everyone in South Africa has an equal opportunity at  home and at work to have a comfortable and productive life. He is destined to take place in history as a leader of profound, unlimited determination, integrity, true compassion as well as unshakeable faith that people can reason with each other to settle the differences that kept them apart all these years. In a nutshell, Nelson Mandela is one of the worlds true freedom fighters where his life as well as his personal triumphs will always be remembered long after the world has forgotten the evils of apartheid.