Nelson+Mandela

= **Nelson Mandela**  =

o Birthday: July 18, 1918
====o Political Views: Activist, Joined the African National Congress, Became a secretary for the African National Congress Youth League, Became a member of the Transvaal ANC executive, Mandela became president of the Youth League, He became president of the Transvaal ANC.====

o Bio (minimum 300 words):
I was raised by my father in the village of Mvezo, which is part of the district of Umtata in South Africa. My father was the chief of Mvezo. My mother was my father's third wife, and I was one of thirteen children. My mother was a Methodist, so she sent me to a Methodist missionary school, where I continued to be part of the religion. My father passed away in 1930, and after his death, the paramount chief became my guardian. After graduating from Clarkebury Missionary School, I attended Healdtown College. I, then, furthered my education at the University of Fort Hare, which was the first college in South Africa for Black Africans. I spent a period of time in Johannesburg where I worked as a night watch on a gold mine, and then as a clerk for a law firm. At night, I studied with the University of South Africa to obtain a degree. I wished to be a lawyer. In 1952, I opened my law office. This was the same year that I became the president of the Transvaal ANC. I continued to work to spread awareness of the anti-Apartheid movements. My wife, Evelyn, left me for various reasons involving my political habits and plans. I married my second wife, Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela. The Congress of the People remained somewhat neutral, and lacked passionate opinions about the apartheid, which drove young radicals to join the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan African Congress (PAC), which were rivals at the time. I left South Africa in 1962 and attended the PAC conference. This lead to his five year arrest for illegally leaving South Africa. After protests, I was sentenced to life in prison and taken to Robben Island to be put in jail. During my time in prison, tension rose, and the South African government was pressured to release me. They tried to reach an agreement, and proposed to allow me to go free, if I swore I would end the protests. I refused. I refused to let all of the work and efforts be wasted, and give up on a cause I, and my followers, believed in. Finally, I was released. I was overjoyed to be welcomed back with such enthusiasm. De Klerk and I were awarded the nobel peace prize, and I ran for president in April of 1994. The African National Congress won by majority. A new constitution was written while the Government of National Unity took charge. The South Africans now had a majority Black authority in government. We were liberated finally! By 1999, I let go of my presidential position, but I continued to keep myself busy. I have since divorced Winne, and remarried to Graca Machel. I now lead a more quiet life, and I continue to stand for everything we have fought for and accomplished. I never had a doubt that we would someday reach our dreams. I am blessed that someday is today.

o Favorite Quotations: ====“Enthusiasm is absolutely necessary if you ever want to accomplish anything of value. You need a larger-than-life excitement in whatever it is that you are doing for it to be successful. You can amass incredible enthusiasm within…”====

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”
====“Communists have always played an active role in the fight by colonial countries for their freedom, because the short-term objects of Communism would always correspond with the long-term objects of freedom movements.”====

- “Free South Africa” by Stetsasonic is a hip hop song that was created to raise awareness of the apartheid situation that was happening in South Africa.
====o Books: No Easy Victories by William Minter, The United States Anti-Apartheid Movement: Local Activism in Global Politics by Janice Love, Let Freedom Reign: The Words of Nelson Mandela by Henry Russell====

o High School: Clarkebury Missionary School
====o College/University: Mandela attended a strict Methodist college called Healdtown, and pursued further education at the University of Fort Hare, which was the first university for Black Africans in South Africa. He also went on to study with the University of South Africa to complete his degree. In 1941, he was given his Bachelor’s degree. He then began studying at the University of Witwatersrand to obtain a law degree.====

Ablum 2: Political Career






Groups:
- 1. African Union: I, Nelson Mandela, am joining this group to promote peace and collaboration between African Nations. I strongly support this group’s willingness to allow criticism. No voice should go unheard. This is one place where problems can be discussed peacefully and rationally, and no one is excluded. This group helps to unify African countries and allow us to share ideas. - 2. The Free Burma Coalition New York: This group’s mission is the start a grassroots movement. The anti-apartheid movement I led in South Africa influenced the idea. If this group is inspired by my work, and supports causes similar to the situation in South Africa, I would love to be a part. Everyone should join the fight for freedom. - 3. The WITS PSC: I studied at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. I joined this group, because its goal is to support the Palestinian cause at the University, in an anti-apartheid movement against Israel. This reflects many of the ideals of the South African movements to end apartheid. - 4. Steve-Washington: I really enjoy Steve’s music, which is why I joined this group. He also played with a drummer named Julian Bahula’s Electric Dream, who is South African. They played many anti-apartheid support shows, and the fact that they promote these ideas gives me respect for them, as well as their talents. - 5. Phila- NAACP Youth Council In College Units: I agree with the NAACP’s view that the development of future leaders is crucial. I have joined this group because I was very impressed that the NAACP Youth and College groups include more than 30,000 young adults that actively participate in the fight for civil rights. The NAACP makes sure to raise awareness about the issues the African Americans face, as well as other minorities. - 6. Oxfam Edmonton: This organization helps bring aid to communities in need. They help to provide nutrition, health and encourage democratic development. I believe that it is important to solve problems with poverty, inequality and social injustice, often due to racism, in order to create self-sufficient networks. This is exactly what this group does, and I would like to offer help in any way possible. - 7. Youths Making Change: I am joining this group to show my appreciation for those who make efforts to improve our global and local environments. Often, one person can start a chain reaction, if they are willing to show integrity by stepping up to do the right thing. This group page is a great way to share ideas and contribute to the positive changes being made. This group particularly is fighting to one day reach an HIV free generation, which is a large battle in Africa and other areas of the world. - 8. Africare Group 12: I once said, “I regard Africare as one of American’s greatest gifts to Africa. Your work, in every corner of our great continent, has sustained our own commitment to building a strong and free Africa.” I think it’s great that this group has been created. It allows groups within Africare to reflect and spread updates throughout the organization, and also to make new plans for the future. - 9. Blacks in Spirituality and Metaphysics: I really respect this group, so I have joined it. The motto of the group is that each individual is entitled to make a difference, enjoy life, and be the best we can be. The group has claimed that by freeing oneself of fear, you automatically free those who surround you. This is similar to the chain reaction I refer to. Someone must start the reaction, and why shouldn’t it be you? - 10. Africa and Dispora: I am joining this group, because it expresses many of my own ideals. It encourages us to strive to improve our society and release racial prejudices and tension. It speaks of a dream that I share. This dream is the idea of a liberated society where we have democracy, and all people may live together with equal rights and chances to succeed.

Quizzes:
What Time of Day Are You? Dawn! Dawn is a time to reflect, plan and see natural beauty. Nelson Mandela spent his entire career pointing out the beauty in all different races, to ensure that each ethnic group received equal opportunities. It has been said that Mandela found tranquility in the sunrise and sunset. He probably spent this time of day thinking about his dream of an equal society, and pondered the steps he would take to achieve it.

What is your power? Your Power is Akasha! This is the source of all natural energy. You can manipulate energy, create energy fields, blast energy bolts etc. These powers are sacred and you should use them wisely.

Nelson Mandela truly does possess a positive energy which radiates from within in and reaches out to people. He encourages his followers to stand up for their rights and he never tried to abuse his power. His energy sparked a reaction from the people of South Africa, and by doing so, he was able to change an entire culture and ameliorate social injustice. Which feeling are you? Bohemian Lush: Bohemian Lush suits you best, because you're a natural person that sees people for who they are and no one ever sees you as a threat. You're cheerful, bubbly, positive and full of life. Those are very good qualities that others may envy. ROCK ON!

Nelson Mandela always //did// see people for who there were beneath their ethnicity. He never allowed a simple trait such a skin color to dissuade him from having respect or faith in someone. He is natural in the sense that he sees into the core of people and judges them based on their minds and actions rather than race. He was always optimistic that he could change the world, and he has. What’s your inner element? The love of light! Your an extremely caring person, and will do anything to make sure your friends and family are safe, protected and together. Your warm, and always a joy to be around!

It's absolutely possible that Mandela's inner element is light. He enlightened an entire culture, after all. He always cared for the rights of his people, and fought to improve the world around him. He once claimed he would rather die than give up on his ideas, and the people of South Africa welcomed his return from prison with enthusiasm and hope for a new future.

What superhero are you? Spiderman! You may have trouble making friends but you always do what you think is right, and you look forward to new challenges.

This relates to Nelson Mandela because while he faced struggles in gaining enough support for his causes, he refused to give up. In spending 27 years in jail, he proved that he was willing to do anything to make his dreams of a better, liberated society a reality. He was never afraid of a challenge, and by being brave and persistent he won the respect and loyalty of the South Africans.