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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 H O T U S - C A R F A I 2. A great leader N E M L N A D 3. An African tribe B T E H O M R E T 4. Mandela was this kind of child. S O F 5. The kind of rights black South Africans did not have N A H M U 6. Place where Mandela spent 27 years R O P N I S 7. Long Walk to Freedom is one of these O B K O 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?