Five amazing things about Nelson Mandela

desmond frimpong

July 19, 2018 11:04 AM

In honour of the remarkable life of Nelson Mandela and his historic fight for racial equality, here are five inspiring things about Madiba that changed South Africa forever.

Its been 4 and half years since Madiba’s passing. Mandela was the first black president of South Africa who helped usher in the end of Apartheid. He died at age 95 after battling a recurring lung infection in 2013.

“it always seems impossible until it’s done”

Worked to maintain peace within South Africa as he brought down Apartheid

Many South Africans feared civil war and violence prior to the ANC’s victory. When he became president, he established Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human-rights abuses under Apartheid, averting a large amount of potential violence.

A master disguised and an expert at evading arrest

Nicknamed the “Black Pimpernel” for his incredible way of escaping capture, Madiba used disguises to evade arrest. He often disguised himself as a chef, fieldworker or chauffeur.

Setting up South Africa’s first black-run law firm with Oliver Tambo

It was started in 1952, in order to provide affordable legal counsel for black people who had broken Apartheid-era laws. In his autobiography, long walk to freedom, he wrote, “I realized quickly what Mandela and Tambo meant to ordinary Africans. It was a place where they could come and find a sympathetic ear and a competent ally, a place where they would not be either turned away or cheated, a place where they might actually feel proud to be represented by men of their own skin colour.”

Mandela initially began as a pacifist, then took action

At first Madiba was committed to nonviolent protest then he changes his stance in the early sixties and began advocating a sabotage campaign against the government. Mandela co-founded “Spear of the Nation” or MK in 1961, the militant wing of the African National Congress.

When Mandela got out of prison, he only Reinforced his fight against Apartheid

Following his release from prison on 11th Feb 1990, Madiba urged supporters to increase pressure on the South Africa’s white minority government. He also called on the international community to maintain its sanctions.

“Now is the time to intensify the struggle on all fronts,” he told the large crowd. “To relax our efforts now would be a mistake which generations to come will not be able to forgive.”

Rest in peace, Nelson Mandela.

desmond frimpong

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