Hip Young Things

Nelson Mandela is a significant figure in South Africa, and also throughout the world. He is honored and respected by many, and has won numerous awards, which demonstrate this. Mandela was born in July of 1918 in Transkei, South Africa. He was born into a cadet branch of the Tembu dynasty. His great grandfather had been the king of the Tembu people. From his birth it seemed as though Mandela was destined for great things, though it is unlikely anyone could have predicted the tremendous impact he would have on South Africa. His achievements did not come easy, and his life entailed a great deal of struggle and repression. Tourists staying in the best hotels South Africa will no doubt have heard of this great man and encounter some reminder of his work.

Mandela studied at the Fort Hare University where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree. While he was there he became friends with Oliver Tambo, with whom he would remain close for the rest of his life. When he left Fort Hare, Mandela studied law with the University of London External Program. He became the leader of the ANC’s armed wing in 1961, which he also co-founded. It was during this time that he began extreme anti-apartheid measures and coordinated sabotage campaigns against the military. He believed that the many years of oppression and violence from the apartheid regimes proved that non-violent measures would be ineffective.

In 1962 Mandela was arrested and imprisoned in the Johannesburg Fort. It is widely believed that the United States Central Intelligence Agency assisted in his finding and arrest. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Other charges were presented and ultimately Mandela received a life sentence. He spent the next 27 years in prison, the first 18 being spent on Robben Island. In 1985 he was offered a conditional release if he would give up his arms activities. Nothing came of this until 1990 when the ban on anti-apartheid organizations was lifted, and Mandela was finally freed. He was elected President of South Africa and aided the country’s transition into a multi-racial democracy. In 1993 he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

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