Nelson Mandela Research Paper

Nelson Mandela was a very influential man in the South African society. Throughout his life he had his ups and downs. He went from being in jail for life, to being the president of South Africa. In his life he had one dream and goal, which he never gave up on, even when he was faced with extreme adversity. Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in a village near Mthatha in the Transkei, called Mvezo, to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Henry Mgadla Mandela. When his father died in 1927, Rolihlahla became the ward of Jogintaba Dalindyebo, the Paramount Chief, to be made to assume high office. Rolihlahla dreamed of playing his own part in the freedom struggle oh his people from hearing the elder’s stories of his ancestor’s valour during the wars of resistance. Soon he was going to school to get an education at a local mission school, and soon he was given the name Nelson. Soon he was sent through many schools through
When he returned to South Africa, he was charged with illegal exit of the country, and incitement to strike. Nelson decided to be his own defense in his trial. One thing he said in the trial was, “I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.” He lost his trial and was sentenced to five years in prison. When Nelson was brought back to Pretoria in July 1963 he encountered Thomas Mashifane. He then knew that their hide out had been discovered by the authorities. Nelson and ten other were then charged with sabotage. The trial in court for them lasted for 8 months. At the end of Nelson’s statement he said, “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