Nelson Mandela was born July 18, 1918 in the Eastern Cape Province of the South near Umtata. A surname was formed on behalf of his father. At birth, Mandela was given the name Rolihlahla, but at school Mandela was called Nelson, in honor of the British admiral. Nelson Mandela attended Fort Hare College, from which he was expelled in 1940 for participating in a student strike. In 1943, Nelson Mandela started to studying law at the University of Witwatersrand, but did not receive a law certificate. Nelson Mandela received a bachelor of law degree only in 1989. In the 1950s, he was one of the most active fighters against apartheid in southern Africa. By 1960, Mandela became the recognized leader of the ANC. In 1960, in the aftermath of the unrest, more than 60 Africans were killed, the South African government banned the ANC. On June 1961, ANC leaders decided to move to an armed struggle against apartheid. In 1964, he was arrested by South African security forces and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1985, Nelson Mandela rejected the release of South African President Peter Botha in exchange for refusing political struggle. In 1990, in the conditions of the crisis, the system of apartheid Mandela was released and in 1991 headed the ANC. In 1993, Nelson Mandela and South African President Frederik de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end apartheid. In 1994, the first national elections were held in South Africa with the participation of the African majority, as a result of which Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa. In 1996, under his leadership, a new constitution of the Republic of South Africa was drafted and adopted, which guaranteed all South Africans equal rights, regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Remaining as president of the country, Mandela resigned as the leader of the ANC on December 1997, and in the elections of 1999 he did not stand as a candidate for the presidency of South Africa. Moving away from public affairs, Mandela continued active social activities. He was awarded many government awards from dozens of countries around the world. Ex-president of South Africa Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95.
One of the reasons, why I can identify Mandela as a leader, it is ability to self-sacrifice. As I mentioned above, he spent more than 25 years of his valued life in prison on Robben Island. When freedom was offered to him, Nelson Mandela refused this, saying: “I can not and will not give any commitment, at a time when I and you, the people, are not free. Your freedom and mine cannot be divided!”. The second reason that I want say is his compassion. He forgave his potential enemy, the Apartheid government, which bring to himself and to his family much suffering. He had opportunity to destroy them, but he chose the higher route instead. The third reason is he was a unifier. When Mandela became governmental labor, he tried to bring people with different colors of skin together. Many people expected from him to prefer rase with identical skin with him, especially from his tribe, but because of his prediction for a multination, South Africa is currently benefiting from its rich diversity economically, educationally, and traditionally. The last reason is that this great person showed his commonality with nation. He cared on the needs of others, rather than his, listening to those whom people ignored, and looking for those whom people had rejected. He ministered as to poor people as the rich people; he ministered the educated and the illiterate. Mandela was an example of respect for justice, freedom and human rights. He taught us all a great lesson in reconciliation, political transition and social transformation. This could be achieved only by a figure with his deep humanity, moral integrity, authority and a clear vision of the future of his country. His achievements are a message to those who must resolve issues that would seem to have no solution. Even the most terrible conflicts can be resolved peacefully. This is a terrific man, who lived a difficult and long life. A third of his life was spent in difficult conditions. His contribution to the aftermath of apartheid is immense. He has done a lot for humanity, and his memory will remain not only in his people, but throughout the world. He is loved in many countries, he is honored all over the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that residents of all countries celebrate his birthday. 67 years of his life he gave the fight for social justice, equality and democracy.
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Nelson Mandela seemed to have had charismatic qualities early on as young adult that carried on into his mature years as a leader. Charisma defines as a construct between leader and follower, where leader offer idea and followers believe not because of the success of the idea itself, because of the unusual qualities of the leader. Nelson Mandela had wonderful ideas for his nation, which lead to the prosperity of South Africa. Without his quality of personality as charisma, probably the ideas of this person would be ignored. There was a certain pattern that gave Mandela, who formed emotional relationships with people. He was afraid to do what he considered necessary in order to assert his faith. Many of these resurrected people are in favor of believing, which eventually allowed everyone to form a new nation.
Even now, at the dawn of the 21st century, there are too many divisions, hatred, social barriers and violence in our world. The main goal of everything we do in life, both personal and public, is to continue the difficult path to a better world - the one we so enthusiastically dreamed of. To fight and destroy is very easy. The real heroes are those who establish the world and begin to build. Let every day be inspired by the example of Nelson Mandela’s work in the name of a better and more just world.
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