Nelson Mandela Day

The Importance of Nelson Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela Day marks not only the thirty-odd years since apartheid ended in South Africa and Mandela finally regained his freedom; it reminds us that every persevering moment gives us the chance to make a change. The life of Mandela was dedicated to this concept: helping others and undying selflessness. The theme of this year’s Nelson Mandela Day is combating poverty and inequality, so as we reflect on arguably one of the most important South African social, political, and cultural figure’s life, how can we hope to stride similarly to Mandela on his day?

Who was Nelson Mandela?

Born into the Thembu royal family in 1918 in the village of Mvezo in eastern South Africa, Mandela was born not Nelson, but Rolihlahla – which loosely translates to ‘Troublemaker’, as if a manifestation of Mandela’s inspirational future. Mandela was the first in his family to have a formal education, which was the result of his father’s disposition from Chiefdom in their village for ‘insubordination’, the stubbornness which would express itself in Nelson. Mandela’s family would move to his motherland and the village would influence his parent’s decision to send him to school. What should have been the ultimate disfigurement of the Mandela family’s respect would raise Mandela from humble beginnings in his traditional Xhosa childhood; after his father’s death, his education would continue.

Around ten years later in 1939 after completing secondary education, Mandela studied at the University of Fort Hare, although initially he was weary of involving himself with political movements, he would be suspended from the university for protesting the quality of food. Mandela would not return to university for two years, where then he studied in Johannesburg becoming not only a graduate but increasingly politically active, being radicalised by racism, poverty, and rife inequality. Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1943 solidifying his activism for the self-determination of Black Africans, a year later he married his first wife and fellow ANC member Evelyn Maze.

Leading a movement

In 1948, the South African General Election showed unsurprising results with the National Party – which was segregationist, taking control of South Africa and institutionalising apartheid further. What was previously at the circumference of South African politics, racial discriminationbecame increasingly central to the legislature of the country. All South Africans under this new Prime Minister would have to register as White, Colored or African, and the prohibition of already stigmatised mixed marriages was enshrined in law. The racial hierarchy of South Africa went from bad to worse, all while the Black and Colored population were denied the right to vote. It was at this point Mandela, who was quite influential in the ANC now rallied for the direct protest of apartheid.

It’s interesting to note that Mandela’s dedication to ending injustice meant he failed his final year of law at the University of Witwatersrand three times, before being denied his degree.

By 1950 Mandela was elected the national president of the Youth League of the ANC, he attended Conventions meeting with political activists from all walks of life, and though he initially opposed the multi-racial aspect of protests and strikes, he would eventually embrace the idea of this ‘rainbow’ coalition against apartheid. As the movement began to grow wide across South Africa as the masses confronted the white minority it would not be long before Mandela was arrested on bogus ‘communism’ charges. Police crackdowns were brutal, and the ensuing years were the greatest display of state-power and control over the people of South Africa, Mandela was arrested multiple times for treason.

“I am prepared to die.”

During the Rivonia Trial of 1964, Mandela addressed the courtroom and the world, here he stated: “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 die." Although Mandela was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government, his words would echo the world several times over, and the moral victory over the South African government would triumph over the conviction. The imprisonment of Mandela increased international condemnation of apartheid and he became a figure of resistance worldwide.

When Mandela was sentenced it is said the Judge spoke so quietly the family, crowds and much of the courtroom could not hear the life sentence given, but what was felt was the protest of the people throughout the nation.

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity."

By the 1970s the foundation of which white domination was built- money was being challenged. Divestment and economic sanctions solidified the modern world’s stance on the barbaric institution of apartheid, and in the 80s the country saw a campaign of violence protesting it. Even with reforms to racist policy anti-apartheid pressure continued. In 1990, after 27 years in prison, Mandela was finally free, and the ANC along with 33 other organisations were decriminalised. A few months later Mandela delivered the famous speech to the United Nations that included the words: “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity." Working with the government, Mandela performed perhaps the most selfless of all his acts, he forgave, a feat many of us could not replicate. Over the next few years, Mandela would lead the country out of Apartheid and the shadow of centuries of white supremacy- as its first Black President.

“We stand here because we dared to think that we were human”

The oppressed have forever sought justice through a lens of morality too blinding for the oppressor, Mandela in the face of great inequality and evil never compromised his core beliefs; this is why he is celebrated across the world. Mandela’s unwavering spirit has existed in every social movement stretching across the diaspora of oppressed Black people. His fight for equality and against the poverty of the majority is a reminder that within us all is the will to make a change, so on this Nelson Mandela Day, try to be that change.