Today In History: Remembering Nelson Mandela

I ended by opening my arms to all of South Africans of goodwill and good intentions, saying that "no man or woman who has abandoned apartheid will be excluded from our movement toward a nonracial, united, and democratic South Africa based on one-person one vote on a common voters' role." That was the ANC's mission, the goal that I had always kept before me during the many lonely years in prison, the goal that I would work toward during the remaining years of my life.  It was the dream I cherished when I entered prison at the age of forty-four, but I was no longer a young man, I was seventy-one, and I could not afford to waste any time.

-- Nelson Mandela, A Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter, 101, p.320

On December 5th, 2013 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela passed away at the age of 95 years in his family home in Johannesburg. A South African anti-apartheid activist and politician, Mandela was the country's first elected black president -- and one who was elected democratically. He served as President from 1994-1999, and  also as President of the African National Congress from 1991-1997. Following the Rivonia trial (involving a group of anti-apartheid activists who were arrested on Liliesleaf Farm), he was convicted of conspiring to overthrow the government and, beginning in 1962,  served 27 years in prison -- on Robben Island, at Pollsmoor, and finally at Victor Verster.

Despite being of royal lineage, a Xhosa born into the Madiba clan of the Thembu people, Mandela faced hardships throughout his lifetime.  He grew up in his mother's kraal where he tended cattle. At the age of twelve he lost his father, a polygamist with four wives and 13 children spread among several villages. He was expelled from the University of Fort Hare for participating in a student protest -- one of many future protests. During his disrupted university years, he became a security officer for a mine.  He renounced his claim to clan chieftainship to become a lawyer.  He was twice divorced, and married a third time.  He was arrested several times, stood four trials, and spent 29% of his life incarcerated, with poor living conditions.

Mandela, whose middle name "Rolihlahla" meant "troublemaker", was dubbed "the black Pimpernel" -- described in his autobiography, A Long Walk to Freedom, as "a somewhat derogatory adaptation of Baroness Orczy's fictional character the Scarlet Pimpernel, who daringly evaded capture during the French Revolution." (Chapter 40). Mandela's underground activities necessitated solitary,  secretive, disguised living, adoptive names.  For many years he directed peaceful, nonviolent acts against the South African government and the institute of racism until, convinced of the need for stronger measures, he co-founded Umkhonto we Sizwe, or MK, a branch of the African National Congress that was dedicated to sabotage and guerilla war tactics.

Mandela opposed apartheid and spent his life working towards racial reconciliation. Together with Bishop Desmond Tutu, he created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a court-like organization, to investigate human rights violations and abuses that occurred during apartheid, from 1960-1994. His negotiations with  F. W. de Klerk, former state President of South Africa and deputy president, 1994-1996, helped end racial segregation. In 1993 they earned the Nobel Peace Prize for their work.

Nelson Mandela represents one of the world's greatest leaders, celebrated to this day, and honored with over 260 awards for his commitment to freedom and equality for all.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Jefferson, M (1994, Nov 30). How a Leader Emerged as If Called by History: Long Walk to Freedom. New York Times (1923-) 
• Keller, B. (2008, Aug 17). Entering the Scrum: How Nelson Mandela Used Rugby to Set South Africa on the Path to Reconciliation. New York Times (1923-) 
• Polgreen, L. (2013, Dec 06). Mandela's Death Leaves South Africa Without Its Moral Center. New York Times (1923-) 
• Maylie, D., & McGroarty, P. (2013, Dec 06). Grief, Glorification at Home. Wall Street Journal (1923-) 
• Maylie, D. (2013, Dec 07). Massive Mandela Send-Off Planned: World Leaders, Including Obama, Plan to Attend the Dec. 10 Memorial in Johannesburg Stadium. Wall Street Journal (1923-) 
• Vogt, H. (2013, Dec 07). In Africa, a Complex Legacy. Wall Street Journal (1923-) 
• Bono. (2013, Dec 10). The Farsighted Vision of a Man Who Could Not Cry: An Idealist Without Naivety, Nelson Mandela Rebooted the Idea of Africa. The Irish Times (1921-) 
• Maylie, D. (2013, Dec 09). South Africans Honor Memory of Mandela: People Pack Houses of Worship and Prepare for a Weeklong Mourning Period Ahead of Funeral for Anti-Apartheid Leader. Wall Street Journal (1923-) 
• Harington, H. (1994, May 27). Apartheid's Death-Knell Heralds a Fresh Start. Wall Street Journal (1923-) 
• Cowell, A. (2014, Dec 06). Mandela Is Remembered: On Anniversary of Death. New York Times (1923-) 

Tips:

• Broun, K. S. (2012). Saving Nelson Mandela : The Rivonia Trial and the Fate of South Africa (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. e-book.
• Choonoo, J. G. (1995). A Comparative Analysis of Inequality and Poverty Among Urban African, Coloured, and Indian Families and Their Labor Market Experiences During the Apartheid years 1975-1985.  Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University.
• James, P. (2017). The Opportunity to Live Well : The Wisdom of Nelson Mandela, Gough Whitlam, Pete Seeger and Others. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. e-book.
• Kathrada, A. M. (Ahmad M. ), Vassen, R., Sisulu, W., & Mandela, N. (1999). Letters from Robben Island : A Selection of Ahmed Kathrada’s Prison Correspondence, 1964-1989. Mayibuye Books in association with the Robben Island Museum. e-book.
• Mandela, N. (1995). Long Walk to Freedom : The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. (First paperback edition.). Back Bay Books. 5th Floor Stacks & Loft ; DT1949.M35 A28 1995. e-book.
• McDonough, Y. Z., & Zeldis, M. (2002). Peaceful Protest : The Life of Nelson Mandela. Walker & Company. Curriculum ; DT197 .M38 2002.
• Paasche, K. I. (1996). Education in South Africa : Self-Definition and Definition of the “Other.”  Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University.
• Van Schalkwyk, F., Cloete, N., & Bank, L. (Eds.). (2019). Anchored in Place: Rethinking the University and Development in South Africa. Project Muse. e-book.
• Wells, J. C. (1982). The History of Black Women’s Struggle Against Pass Laws in South Africa, 1900-1960. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University.
• Zitha, L. (1994). School Finance for Africans in South Africa : Critique and Recommendations. Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University.

Images:

• South African Flag, Courtesy of Canva
• Nelson Mandela, Courtesy of Canva