Download Nelson_Mandela_Prisoner_ President_ Peacemaker

Nelson
Mandela:
Prisoner,
President,
Peacemaker
“The chains on any one of my people were
the chains on all of them...my hunger for the
freedom of my people became a hunger for
the freedom of all people,
white and black”
From The School Times Audio Tape
N ELSON Mandela is one
of the great leaders of our
time. Since his release from
prison in 1990, Mandela has
been at the centre of a
drama, which has inspired
the world. As President, he
is the symbol of the new
South Africa: A country,
which has been reborn out
of the darkness of
oppression.
He is an unusual man. He
shows no bitterness towards
the people who put him in
prison for 27 years. He has
forgiven them. And he has
moved himself and South
Africa forward to a bright
new future.
In his book. Long Walk to
Freedom, Nelson Mandela
tells his moving story. It is a
tale of struggle, setback,
hope and final triumph.
and even public
transportation.
Born in 1918, Nelson
Mandela was a foster child.
He was brought up as the
son of a Thembo chief. His
upbringing was in a
traditional tribal culture.
But already at an early age,
he discovered a more
modern world.
In practice it meant that
non-whites did not have the
same basic human rights. It
was an oppressive system.
and, South Africa was
condemned by the world for
using it.
A world, which was run by
a system of oppression.
That system became known
as ‘apartheid’.
In South Africa, apartheid
was a system of racial
segregation. It meant that
whites and blacks could not
use the same public places.
such as restaurants. hotels.
Long Walk to Freedom
gives us a deep insight into
Mandela’s youth. It tells us
how he went from student
to law clerk.
And later, how he became
active in the African
National Congress (ANC).
His involvement in politics
got him into trouble with
the government. It also put
a strain on his family life,
and led to the very painful
break up of his first
marriage.
In 1962. he was jailed for
five years. That prison
sentence was given to him
because he had left South
Africa illegally (he had
gone to Algeria for military
training).
While in prison he was
charged with sabotage and
given a life sentence.
It was during those lonely
prison years that Nelson
Mandela began secretly
writing the story of his life.
But his notes were
discovered by prison guards
and taken from him.
However, thanks to the help
of old friends, Mandela was
able to complete the book
after his re lease from
prison in 1990.
To people around the world
Nelson Mandela stands for
the victory of justice and
hope over despair and
hatred.
In a world of racism he
continues to work for
understanding. In a world of
conflict he seeks to bring
peace.
In a world where the voice
of the poor so often goes
unheard, he works for
justice. He has become a
moral leader and an
international hero.
When the history of 2Oth
century is written, Nelson
Mandela will be
remembered as one of its
truly great characters. Let’s
hope his long walk to
freedom inspires many
others to follow in his
footsteps.
WORDS
inspired - touched the
emotions of many people
oppression - to keep people
down with cruel force
bitterness - bad feelings,
anger
struggle - make a great
effort, go forward with
difficulty
setback - something, which
stops one going forward
triumph - victory
foster child - child brought
up by someone other than
his/her parents. By people
who have no legal or blood
ties
tribal culture - the way of
life of an (African) tribe
apartheid - to separate, the
word was used to describe
the system of racial
separation in South Africa
condemned - criticised, the
world judged apartheid to
be a bad thing
clerk - person who works in
an office
strain - stress
illegally - against the law
sabotage - destruction
caused by agents or
civilians during war
despair - to lose hope
conflict - war, fighting
moral hero - champion of
justice, someone who stands
for the good
Jumbled words
1. Country you have read about in the text
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2. A great leader
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3. An African tribe
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4. Mandela was this kind of child.
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5. The kind of rights black South Africans did not have
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6. Place where Mandela spent 27 years
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7. Long Walk to Freedom is one of these
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QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
1. How many years did Mandela spend in prison?
2. Why is he an unusual man?
3. What did “apartheid” mean for black South Africans?
4. What happened to the book he was writing in prison?
5. What does Nelson Mandela stand for to people around the world?