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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. 1918-?. A Review of Apartheid. Apartheid=separateness; legalized racial separation Introduced by the Dutch colonial settlers in 1948; Dutch came to South Africa because of gold and diamonds Reduced the native population to little more than slaves.
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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1918-?
A Review of Apartheid • Apartheid=separateness; legalized racial separation • Introduced by the Dutch colonial settlers in 1948; Dutch came to South Africa because of gold and diamonds • Reduced the native population to little more than slaves
Afrikaner National Party • Created in 1940s • Asserted economic control and social control over blacks • Invented apartheid to maintain control
Apartheid • Protest was outlawed; anyone organizing a demonstration or speaking against apartheid would be detained, tortured, imprisoned, or murdered • Black people were not permitted to travel or live where they would like; often forced to live in undesirable parts of the country
Mandela Childhood • Born July 18, 1918 in a small village to a Xhosa-speaking tribe • Named Rolihlahla (“troublemaker”) • Descendant of tribe royalty
Education and Early Career • Attended Methodist missionary schools where he was renamed “Nelson” by his English teachers • Enrolled at University of Fort Hare in 1938; expelled for political activism • Worked at a law firm in Johannesburg • Studied law at University of Witwatersrand; opened first black African legal practice in 1952 • Joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944
Treason Trial • 156 nationalists arrested December 5, 1956, including Mandela (nonviolence inspired by Mahatma Ghandi) • Members of anti-apartheid organizations • Punishable by death • Acquitted in March 1961
Sharpeville Massacre • ANC was committed to non-violent protest until the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960 • Sharpeville Massacre occurred on March 21, 1960 • Police opened fire on blacks demonstrating against the policies of the National Party of government • 69 people were killed for expressing their opinion • Co founder and president of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed division of ANC (Spear of the Nation or MK)
Turn to Militant Activism • According to Mandela, the Sharpeville Massacre forced the ANC to resort to violence themselves. • The ANC started to blow up railway lines and other economic targets. • 1962—Mandela arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges
“I am Prepared to Die” • Delivered four hour statement • “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” • Sentenced to life imprisonment plus five years
Imprisonment • Gained local and international support who pressured South Africa for his release • Hidden from media and moved several times • Offered freedom in 1976 in exchange for withdrawing from political activism • He refused this offer and subsequent offers
Imprisonment • Performed hard labor in a lime quarry • Allowed one letter and one visitor every 6 months
Soweto Massacre • Young people had been forced to learn Afrikaans in school, the language of the Dutch settlers. They were not allowed to speak or learn in their own language. • On March 21, 1976, school children protested the right to be taught in their own language. • They were shot by police. 69 school kids died. • Mandela was serving time in prison for “terrorist” activities.
Release from Prison • Frederick Willem de Klerk became president in 1989 • De Klerk lifted ban on all political parties • Released all political prisoners not guilty of violent crimes • February 11, 1990, Mandela was released • Served 27 years in prison, many in Robben Island
End of Apartheid • Mandela became president of ANC • Involved in the Convention for Democratic South Africa in 1991 with de Klerk • Jointly awarded Nobel Peace Prize in December 1993 for work
President of South Africa • First multi-racial election in South African in April 1994 • First South African president elected in a fully representative democratic election • ANC won by 62% • Mandela became President of South Africa
Presidency • Aimed to improve social and economic conditions for the black majority • Legislation to protect workers—workplace safety, overtime pay, minimum wage • Improved living standards and provided better housing and education
Reconciliation • As president, he gave priority to reconciliation • Encouraged black South Africans to back the Springboks, the previously hated South African rugby team • Introduced policies to combat poverty and inequality • Known as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name, in South Africa
Retirement • Decided not to run for reelection in 1999 • Retired from public life in 2004 • Committed to fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic (son Makgatho Mandela died of AIDS on January 6, 2005)
“ We have at last achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender, and other discrimination . . . Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. . . Let freedom reign.”
