“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Do you really know who Nelson Mandela is?

Facts about his life He married Eavelyn Mase at the Native Commissioner’s Court because they could not afford a traditional wedding or feast. They had four children one died at nine months, Makaziwe (1947) He partnered with Tambo and opened South Africa’s first black law firm in central Johannesburg in December 1952

Hearing stories from elder’s about his ancestors during the wars of resistance, he dreamed of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.

Before he was President Nelson Mandela was born Rolihlahla Mandela to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Henry Mgaddla Mandela on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo. Rolihlahla means “pulling the branch of a tree”. His father died when he was only 9 years old. Soon after he became ward to the Paramount of Chief, who his father was principal councilor, to be groomed to assume high office.

The Education Mandela received His primary education at a local mission school, where he was given the name Nelson He went to Clarkebury Boarding Institute for his Junior Certificate and then to Healdtown, a secondary school. He enrolled at the University of Fort Hare for the Bachelor of Arts Degree He completed his BA at the University of South Africa in 1942 Went for his LLB shortly after at the University of Witwatersrand but left in 1948 with out graduating.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Do you know why Mandela went to prison? Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was sent to prison because he advocated majority rule in South Africa, at a time when apartheid, the separation of black Africans and whites, was the policy of the ruling white minority there.. Nelson Mandela was sentenced after being found guilty in the Rivonia Trial. The charges in this case were: Recruiting persons for training in the preparation and use of explosives and in guerrilla warfare for the purpose of violent revolution and committing acts of sabotage Conspiring to commit the aforementioned acts and to aid foreign military units when they invaded the Republic, Acting in these ways to further the objects of communism, Soliciting and receiving money for these purposes from sympathizers in Algeria, Ethiopia, Liberia, Nigeria, Tunisia, and elsewhere. (He was in jail for 27 years)

What leadership roles did he take on before he was President? While at the University College of Fort Hare he was elected onto the Students’ Representative Council He was suspended from college for joining in a boycott protest Mandela entered politics while studying, and joined the African National Congress in 1943 In 1944 he and others came together to found the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) During the early fifties Mr. Mandela played an important part in leading the resistance to the Western Areas removals, and to the introduction of Bantu Education. He also played a significant role in popularizing the Freedom Charter, adopted by the Congress of the People in 1955.

Weaknesses? “That was one of the things that worried me — to be raised to the position of a semi-God — because then you are no longer a human being. I wanted to be known as Mandela, a man with weaknesses, some of which are fundamental, and a man who is committed, but, nevertheless, sometimes fails to live up to expectations.” The only weakness is admitting to possibly having lack of strength or firmness, other than this quote we have found no evidence of Mandela having a outstanding weakness.

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

He was developing as a leader before he was President His peers were impressed by his disciplined work and consistent effort, so he was elected as the leagues National Secretary in 1948 By 1952 Mandela was President of the Youth League and the ANC launched its Campaign for Unjust Laws and elected Mandela National Volunteer-in-Chief He fulfilled his responsibility by organizing resistance to discriminatory legislation

WHY was Nelson Mandela a good leader? Mandela himself argues that "I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.“ He ended apartheid (a rigid policy of segregation of the nonwhite population) in South Africa. He is a man of that can display courage - "I can't pretend that I'm brave and that I can beat the whole world." But as a leader, you cannot let people know. "You must put up a front.“ He inspired confidence inside and outside of his country. “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

Did you know? In 1993, Nelson Mandela accepted Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of all South Africans who suffered and sacrificed so much to bring peace to our land. He was president from 1994-1999 in South Africa. June 16th, 1994 was the Formation of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Nelson Mandela

Works Cited http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1821467,00.html http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/history/mandela.htm http://refspace.com/quotes/d:1/Nelson_Mandela/weakness http://www.nelsonmandela.org/index.php/videos/full/mandela_day_message/ http://www.nobelprizes.com/nobel/peace/1993a.html