How many people can say they became president after serving over 20 years in prison? Nelson Mandela, born as Rolihlahla Mandela, was a true hero. Born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa, he did just that.
Even at a young age, he dreamed of equality and boosting the people of South Africa. He got into politics as early as 1942 and joined the African National Congress in 1944. Within this congress, he helped form the ANC Youth League (ANCYL).
What he’s really known for, though, is how he rebelled against the South African government and its apartheid system, changing it for the better. This institutionalized racism existed well in the 1990s, which was when Mandela became president of South Africa.
To honor his actions, we now celebrate Mandela Day. How can you honor Mandela on this day? What are organizations doing? Click through the slideshow to find out.
Note: While we are discussing Nelson Mandela’s life and his accomplishments, this is just a brief glimpse. He had a long life that could fill up multiple books easily.
Nelson Mandela’s Early Life
Mandela came from royalty. His great-grandfather, Ngubengcuka, was the ruler of the Thembu Kingdom, while Mandela’s father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa Mandela, was a local chief to the monarch.
He grew up learning about his parent’s culture, specifically Xhosa traditions. Mandela was the first of his family to go to school. He went to a Methodist school, where the teachers gave him the English name Mandela.
In 1933, he started his next level of education at Clarkebury Methodist High School in Engcobo. During his education, professors focused on praising European intervention in South Africa, but Nelson continued to dive into his studies and interest in native African culture.
Early Politics
Before he started a political career as a political figure or faced imprisonment, he started small. He learned as much as possible about the discrimination and racism occurring in his home and why. He also studied law, attending the University of the Witwatersrand as the only Black African student.
The Treason Trial
Madela’s story is long. Although there are a lot more events we can include, to keep it short and further dive into Mandela Day, we are only touching on the larger things he’s known for. This includes the 1956 Treason Trial.
As Mandela continued to explore his political career and meet with leaders and activists, he was caught in the Treason Trial, where 156 people were arrested for treason. They did so on the Suppression of Communism Act. The trial went on for about 5 years, and none of the accused were found guilty.
Prison Time
In total, Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison. The first time he was convicted was on December 2, 1952, for nine months’ hard labor and a two-year suspension. Next, after going underground and leaving the country for military training, he was sentenced to five years at Pretoria Local Prison, although he was moved to Robben Island Prison for a short while.
After this, he was tried for treason with nine others and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. However, after protests and meetings, he was released in 1990 from Victor Verster Prison. On that same day, the brave Nelson Mandela spoke to people from the balcony of the City Hall in Cape Town. The next day, he held a press conference.
Presidency
Nelson Mandela didn’t stop fighting for the rights of Black South Africans even after his release. Instead, just four short years after his release, he became president. Billions of people from all around the world tuned in to see his inauguration on May 10, 1994.
During his presidency, he helped ease the transition from apartheid minority rule to a multicultural democracy. Apart from this, he also created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1996 to hold hearings on human rights violations. This commission granted amnesty while also offering reparations.
Nelson Mandela Day
Now that we know more about this incredible activist, we can dive into Mandela Day. This special day falls on his birthday, July 18th. The UN Nations declared this day in November 2009, and it’s been celebrated and honored since. It isn’t a holiday to celebrate with a party but instead honors the legacy of Mandela by promoting volunteering and community service.
How To Make An Impact This Mandela Day
What better source to answer this question than the group that created Mandela Day? Here are a few things the United Nations recommends doing this Mandela Day. Remember, even the smallest change can make a difference.
Make a New Friend
Mandela was all about equality and bridging cultural gaps. He would want you to go out and make new friends. The UN recommends getting out of your comfort zone to meet someone of a different cultural background.
Donate Needed Items
If you have the means and the time, donate needed items. Is there a women’s shelter looking for more socks or sanitary items? Reach out to them.
Clean a Local Park
The environment and nature won’t heal without our help. If you have any extra time during Mandela Day or really any day, clean up your local park. This also helps your neighbors by providing a safe and clean place to visit.
Volunteer at a Local Pet Shelter
Dogs and cats have feelings, too. On this day, you can also donate or volunteer at a cat/dog shelter.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Tom Stoddart Archive / Getty Images.