Being tortured and abused publicly was a daily routine for South Africans during Apartheid, the British control of South Africa. During this time period, a man named Nelson Mandela set out to become a key figure in the movement against this cruel and unjust treatment. Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to impacting society by leading the movements against the injustices of Apartheid by advocating for human rights, donating to the Africans affected, and establishing the Nelson Mandela Foundation to encourage the peace of society.
Nelson Mandela is well-known for his efforts against Apartheid. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation separating the white majority and non-white minority in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was a major figure in accomplishing a change in the policy, and eradicating Apartheid by taking inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and pioneering the nonviolent protest in South Africa. However, “after the massacre of unarmed black South Africans by police forces at Sharpeville in 1960 and the subsequent banning of the ANC, Mandela abandoned his nonviolent stance and began advocating acts of sabotage against the South African regime.” (Nelson Mandela | Britannica). Due to his stance of altering his movements to violent, he became a prime target of the South African authorities, and he was subsequently arrested in 1962. After nearly 28 years of being imprisoned, Nelson Mandela left custody in 1990. The South African government made numerous offers to Nelson Mandela during his time in prison, such as in 1985, when an offer was made that he would be able to leave prison if he were to inform the citizens of South Africa to stop attacking the government and cease violence. Nelson Mandela’s unwavering commitment to ending Apartheid inspired millions to elect him as the president of South Africa in 1994. As president, Mandela officially had the power to be able to eradicate Apartheid from South Africa, and his efforts after 40 years of advocating through protests and marches had paid off.
Nelson Mandela was also a very notable humanitarian, as he helped millions of South Africans via his extensive philanthropic work. Nelson Mandela accomplished this by developing various establishments after his presidential term concluded. Organizations like The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund are associations made by Nelson Mandela himself to help the lives of South Africans. According to BBC, “One of [Nelson Mandela’s] greatest acts of philanthropy was to donate one-third of his presidential salary to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund,” (Nelson Mandela’s Campaign to Tackle South African Poverty | BBC). These establishments assisted residents in South Africa with issues and sicknesses such as malnutrition, a lack of education, malaria, tuberculosis, and much more. One major issue that Nelson Mandela’s various foundations have solved was the lack of education in South Africa. The foundations have worked to promote education in underprivileged communities and areas of South Africa, funding schools and other facilities to educate children. His philanthropist nature allowed Nelson Mandela to gain the hearts and minds of millions of South Africans, and motivated people in the future to battle against poverty and create a more fair world.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation was a major gateway for the citizens of South Africa into a more fair and stable world. It was founded for numerous reasons, with one of the most important factors being improving peace and reducing social rigidity in South Africa. One key intention for the foundation was to be able to bring peace by improving human rights, creating strong education institutions, and solidifying a reliable healthcare network. The Nelson Mandela Foundation was able to improve human rights by building off Nelson’s lifelong devotion to advocating for them. Throughout the years, using Nelson Mandela's ideology, the foundation was able to instill hope in the citizens and protect their rights, helping to create a sense of peace in South Africa once again. Education is also a large focal point for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, as they once again use Nelson Mandela’s principles of bringing peace by promoting equal opportunities via education. As said by Mandela himself, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Nelson Mandela | Oxford). Lastly, a reliable healthcare network is a key element in initiating peace, as positive health results in social and economic stability. This then contributes to the overall peace of society, which is the key factor in why the Nelson Mandela Foundation focuses on constructing and improving healthcare systems all over South Africa.
In conclusion, it is clear that Nelson Mandela’s impact on South Africa and the world is something that will never be forgotten. Nelson Mandela impacted humanity by relentlessly fighting to eradicate Apartheid, donating to Africans who were affected by unjust actions, and constructing foundations to improve the lives of South Africans. Mandela’s advocation for peace was brought together by his charitable actions, such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation & Children's Fund, and his strong support for health and education. He donated more than one-third of his presidential salary every year to be able to fund these foundations and benefit lives all over South Africa and the world. Mandela’s selfless pursuits in all forms of improvement lasted until his death, and set an example of courage, bravery, and resilience for future generations, cementing his status as an icon in South Africa and around the world.
Citations
“Nelson Mandela.” Oxford Reference, 2017, www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780191843730.001.0001/q-oro-ed5-00007046;jsessionid=EA029A811E968D85B1C1EA4A92577521. Accessed 24 Feb. 2024.
“Nelson Mandela - Incarceration | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/biography/Nelson-Mandela/Incarceration. Accessed 24 Feb. 2024.
“Nelson Mandela’s Campaign to Tackle South African Poverty.” BBC News, 24 Feb. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-22017313. Accessed 24 Feb. 2024.
“LISTEN: Two Mandela Speeches That Made History.” NPR, 6 Dec. 2013, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/12/06/249210908/listen-two-mandela-speeches-that-made-history. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.
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