Rolihlahla better known as Nelson Mandela was  born at Mvezo, South Africa. His real name was Rolihlahla but his teacher gave him the name Nelson. His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela. When Nelson was 12 his father had died. Mandela, started being involved in politics in 1942 and only joined the African National Congress in 1944 when he helped make the ANC youth league. Nelson Mandela gathered support to abolish apartheid. When he was elected president apartheid ended. Apartheid was a political and social system which enforced racial segregation. 

He helped created the ANC and in it he rose through the ranks and the ANC adopted a more radical mass-based policy. In 1952 he was chosen as the National Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign. Mandela and 19 other people were charged under the Suppression of Communism Act for their part in the campaign. They were sentenced to nine months of hard labour, and a two year suspension. After he got released from prison February 11, 1990 he involved himself in official talks. In 1991 he was elected president of the ANC . On 1993 Mandela and President FW de Klerk both won the nobel peace prize. On April 27, 1994 he voted for the first time.  On April 26, 1994 22 million people went to go vote. Mandela was introduced as president of South Africa on May 10, 1994. 

He established the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. He also established the Truth and Reconciliation Commision. In 1966 he established a strong central government based on majority rule and prohibited discrimination against minorities. He improved race relations and discouraged the Blacks from retaliating against the Whites. He formed a government and proclaimed the country a “rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.” He encouraged both black and whites to rally around the Afrikaner national rugby team. Overall Mandela was a good leader because he encouraged equality and made South Africa a better place. 

Mandela is a hero because he encouraged equality and made South Africa a better place. He improved the living standards of the South African population. He improved the living standards by introducing numerous social and economic programs. He also created the Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund which is aiming to change the way society treats its children and youth. The mission of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund is to give voice and dignity to the African Children. He spent 27 years in prison for trying to overthrow the South African government. Mandela was also one of the founding members of a group called “The Elders”, it was a group of international leaders which promoted conflict resolution and problem solving in the world. 

I believe Nelson Mandela is a Hero but some people may see him as a Villain because he went to jail and traveled illegally to go to conferences. He went to London to attend a conference.  He was brought to trial for sabotage, treason, and violent conspiracy. Mandela also founded the Armed Resistance Movement, which was a non-peaceful protest. 

Nelson Mandela relates to the theme from this year because he tried to stop discrimination. During World War 2 there was discrimination to the Jews from the Nazis. The Jews were treated horribly by the Nazi party. When they would go to prison they were treated horrible like the African people that went to jail. He also relates to genocide.