Nelson Mandela: Fighter for Racial and Social Equity

Reported by Michelle Desarbo & Liza Young

Telephoning South Africa several times recently and speaking with Nelson Mandela’s team was exciting. To think that this Nobel Laureate (Peace Prize 1993) who was incarcerated for 27 years and was now traveling, had consented to appear in Education Update was a tribute to the African-Americans in this nation who have fought for peace and recognition through poetry, law, politics, danceand the written word.

Sacrificing his freedom in the name of democratic and social principles, Nelson Mandela has had a tremendous historical impact. From his early youth he was actively involved in fighting racial discrimination in South Africa. As a student, he was involved in a protest of the white minority government’s withholding of basic rights to South Africa’s vast Black population

Receiving his law degree, he opened a law firm, together with his college friend Oliver Tambo, which provided free oazr low-cost legal advice to many Black Africans who otherwise would have been grossly underserviced.

During his years as a student, Mandela began his involvement with the African National Congress (ANC), an organization promoting democratic policies in South Africa. He was instrumental in establishing the ANC Youth League and became its president in 1951.

Following the implementation of apartheid laws by the National Party (NP), which assumed power in 1948, Mandela and other members of the ANC protested apartheid laws through its Defense Campaign. In response to NP threats of disbanding the ANC, the “M” plan was formed. Named after Mandela, the plan resulted in the organization of smaller ANC units which would encouraged the earliest participation in the anti-apartheid movement.

Mandela’s anti-apartheid activities eventually led to his arrest, first to a five year sentence in 1956. In 1961 he was acquitted, but was again arrested in 1962 and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, during his imprisonment, Mandela covertly engaged in the struggle against apartheid, releasing a statement to the ANC, encouraging Africans to come together in the fight against apartheid.

Following his February 1990 release from prison, he ran for president of South Africa. He was officially elected in May 1994. During his term, he introduced the Reconstruction and Development Plan, economically fostering the creation of jobs, housing and basic healthcare. Mandela led South Africa’s shift away from apartheid, which finally ended in 1996. The newly formed constitution of South Africa in 1996 guaranteed the rights of minorities and freedom of speech.

Nelson Mandela’s contributions to socially equality continue today. The Nelson Mandela Foundation seeks to improve rural conditions of schools by soliciting direct accounts of what conditions are like in the particular rural area.

The Mandela Foundation has helped build over 140 schools. These Mandela Schools have been the focus of a development program. One of the objectives is to create centers of excellence in learning and teaching within communities. The Foundation strives for a deeper understanding of how rural communities view education and how they can improve their own lives. The Foundation tries to bring a deeper understanding between policy makers and the communities who need their help.

http://www.educationupdate.com/archives/2005/february/html/Black-Mandela.html