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Group Task: Key Moments in the Life of Nelson Mandela

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Group Task: Key Moments in the Life of Nelson Mandela

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Your group will work with one time period in the life of Nelson Mandela.

Your task

1. Look up information about your time period.

2. Choose 2–3 important events from this period.

3. Explain why these events are important in Mandela’s life and in the fight against apartheid.

Sources

Use:

Reliable websites

Short documentaries or educational videos

If you use AI, you need to fact check that it is correct!

Images and videos

You must find at least one image or video that supports your information.

Ask yourselves:

What does the image or video show?

How does it help us understand this time period?

Is it connected to Mandela’s actions or choices?

What to hand in / present

Your group should present:

A digital slide (post in this Padlet)

Include:

Your time period (years)

2–3 key facts

One image or video, explained in your own words

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Nelson Mandela's Iconic Speech - Short Version

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He was born 1918 in a village called mevzo. his father died and he moved to a village called Qunu. 

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Nelson Mandela’s education played an important role in shaping his ideas, leadership, and fight against apartheid. While studying at Fort Hare University, he was exposed to new ideas about equality, justice, and political resistance. There he became involved in student protests, which increased his political awareness. Later, Mandela studied law, which helped him understand how power and legal systems worked. He used this knowledge to defend the rights of Black South Africans and challenge unfair laws. During his 27 years in prison, Mandela continued to study and read, which helped him remain disciplined and hopeful. Education strengthened his belief in equality and justice and helped him become a calm, strategic leader who believed in reconciliation rather than revenge.

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What values did he learn as a young man?

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What values did he learn as a young man?

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As a young man, Nelson Mandela learned to treat others with respect and dignity through his upbringing in the Thembu royal household. He developed a strong sense of responsibility to his community, believing that leadership meant serving people rather than ruling over them. Through his experiences with racial discrimination, he learned the importance of justice and fairness. Mandela also learned that courage and moral conviction were necessary to challenge injustice, even at great personal cost

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President and the End of Apartheid (1994 - 1999)

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President and the End of Apartheid (1994 - 1999)

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1994 - first democratic election:

In 1994, South Africa held its first democratic election, and Nelson Mandela was elected president. The election was historic because all adults could vote, no matter their skin color, for the first time in the country’s history. It marked the end of apartheid, a system that had separated people by race for many years. Mandela’s victory became a symbol of freedom, equality, and hope in South Africa and around the world.

mandela as president:

Nelson Mandela became President of South Africa in 1994, after the end of Apartheid. He was the country’s first Black president and the first president elected in a democratic election where all races could vote. As president, Mandela worked for reconciliation and unity, encouraging forgiveness instead of revenge and helping to build a new, equal South Africa.

Why was the 1994 election historic

The 1994 election in South Africa was historic because it was the first time all adults could vote, no matter their race. The election ended apartheid, a system that treated people unfairly because of their skin color. Nelson Mandela became the first Black president, giving hope for freedom and equality in South Africa.

How did mandela try to unite south africa:

Nelson Mandela tried to unite South Africa through forgiveness and cooperation.

After apartheid, he did not want revenge. He wanted people to live together in peace.

He spoke to both Black and white South Africans and worked for equal rights for everyone.

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1. Nelson Mandela was put on trial because he fought against apartheid in South Africa.

Mandela was a leader in the African National Congress (ANC). He helped fight the government and supported sabotage, which means destroying things, not hurting people. The government said this was a crime. In 1964, Mandela was found guilty and sent to prison for 27 years.

2. In his famous speech in 1964, Nelson Mandela said he wanted a free and equal society. He said that Black and white people should have the same rights.

He said he fought against apartheid because it was unfair and wrong. Mandela also said he was ready to die for this idea, because he believed equality was worth fighting for.

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iThings in South Africa were more violent and hostile after the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960. For instance, the peaceful demonstration at Sharpeville was met with force by the police, which killed 69 people. Mandela and others realized after the Sharpeville demonstration that passive resistance was not working; hence, more force was required. Subsequently, the government banned the African National Congress, of which Mandela was a major leader.

In response, he assisted in forming the African National Congress' armed wing, called Umkhonto we Sizwe, in 1961. The objective was to combat apartheid through sabotage, rather than through peaceful protests. In 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested and sent to prison, a situation that saw him become a symbol in the fight against apartheid. The arrest only meant that the government was committed to preventing opposition to apartheid, yet it sparked sympathy for the anti-apartheid coalition.

Nelson Mandela thought change was necessary because the apartheid laws were being used unfairly against people due to the color of their skin. Blacks in South Africa were not allowed to vote in the elections; blacks were not allowed to attend school; blacks were not allowed to work; blacks were being forced to live in poverty. Nelson Mandela knew the apartheid laws were being used unfairly against the blacks in South Africa and were taking away their basic human rights. Nelson Mandela knew everyone was entitled to the same rights as everyone else, including equal freedom and equality, regardless of the color of their skin.

Because the peaceful protests led to violence from the police officers in South Africa, Nelson Mandela knew change was necessary.

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How Mandela protested peacefully:

Mandela used peaceful methods like marches, strikes, and speeches to oppose apartheid.

He was a leader in the ANC (African National Congress) and worked to organize non-violent demonstrations.

He encouraged people to deliberately break unjust laws, such as segregation laws, without using violence.

Mandela also used the legal system and public speeches to spread the message that apartheid was wrong and unjust.

How the government responded:

The South African government reacted with violence and mass arrests against peaceful protesters.

Protests and organizations like the ANC were banned, and peaceful demonstrations were made illegal.

Mandela himself was imprisoned for life in 1964 because of his anti-apartheid activism.

Police used force against demonstrators, such as during the Sharpeville Massacre, where many peaceful protesters were killed.

Since the government did not allow peaceful protest, Mandela later supported armed resistance as a last resort.

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In 1982 Mandela transferred from Robben Island to Pollismoor Prison in Cape Town. They transferred him apparently for security reasons but in reality they wanted to control and monitor.

February 10 1985: Rejects president P.W Botha's offer of freedom. delivered by his daughter Zindi stating: what freedom am I being offered while the organisation of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner can not enter into contracts.

Sometime during 1988 Nelson Mandela had contracted tuberculosis and was later sent to a medical facility, after being carefully treated Nelson Mandela was sent to a different prison called Victor Verster Prison. Victor Verster Prison had offered far more relaxed conditions including a private house on prison grounds.

The government eventually started to negotiating with Mandela for a variety of reasons. First of the Apartheid was falling apart and was becomming increasingly more difficult to sustain and townships were becoming uncontrollable and people protesting against the government. The economy was also suffering badly.Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison on the 11th February 1990 ending a 28 year long incarceration.

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In 1982 Mandela transferred from Robben Island to Pollismoor Prison in Cape Town. They transferred him apparently for security reasons but in reality they wanted to control and monitor. Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison on the 11th February 1990 ending a 28 year long incarceration.

February 10 1985: Rejects president P.W Botha's offer of freedom. delivered by his daughter Zindi stating: what freedom am I being offered while the organisation of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner can not enter into contracts.

Sometime during 1988 Nelson Mandela had contracted tuberculosis and was later sent to a medical facility, after being carefully treated Nelson Mandela was sent to a different prison called Victor Verster Prison. Victor Verster Prison had offered far more relaxed conditions including a private house on prison grounds.

Throughout the late 1980s, global anti‑apartheid movements, economic sanctions, and internal unrest pushed the South African government toward reform.

Mandela’s name became a global symbol of resistance, even though images of him were banned for decades.

By 1989, President P.W. Botha had met Mandela personally and his successor,

F.W. de Klerk, accelerated the process toward Mandela’s release.

February 11 1990: released from Victor Verster Prison, marking a major turning point in the end of apartheid.

The government eventually started to negotiating with Mandela for a variety of reasons. First of the Apartheid was falling apart and was becomming increasingly more difficult to sustain and townships were becoming uncontrollable and people protesting against the government. The economy was also suffering badly. The government also feared a revolution or a civil war.

Nelson Mandela called for peace for a few different reasons. First of he knew that peace made negotiations possible. He also wanted to prevent civil war because tensions between different communities started escalating. Mandela knew that peace had longevity and would make South Africa a better country. He also wanted to protect the civilians from civil war that would result in mass casualties.

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By 1989, President P.W. Botha had met Mandela personally and his successor,

F.W. de Klerk, accelerated the process toward MandelIn 1982 Mandela transferred from Robben Island to Pollismoor Prison in Cape Town. They transferred him apparently for security reasons but in reality they wanted to control and monitor. Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison on the 11th February 1990 ending a 28 year long incarceration.

February 10 1985: Rejects president P.W Botha's offer of freedom. delivered by his daughter Zindi stating: what freedom am I being offered while the organisation of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner can not enter into contracts.

Sometime during 1988 Nelson Mandela had contracted tuberculosis and was later sent to a medical facility, after being carefully treated Nelson Mandela was sent to a different prison called Victor Verster Prison. Victor Verster Prison had offered far more relaxed conditions including a private house on prison grounds.

Throughout the late 1980s, global anti‑apartheid movements, economic sanctions, and internal unrest pushed the South African government toward reform.

Mandela’s name became a global symbol of resistance, even though images of him were banned for decades.

a’s release.

February 11 1990: released from Victor Verster Prison, marking a major turning point in the end of apartheid.

The government eventually started to negotiating with Mandela for a variety of reasons. First of the Apartheid was falling apart and was becomming increasingly more difficult to sustain and townships were becoming uncontrollable and people protesting against the government. The economy was also suffering badly. The government also feared a revolution or a civil war.

Nelson Mandela called for peace for a few different reasons. First of he knew that peace made negotiations possible. He also wanted to prevent civil war because tensions between different communities started escalating. Mandela knew that peace had longevity and would make South Africa a better country. He also wanted to protect the civilians from civil war that would result in mass casualties.