Nelson Mandela og Sydafrika: fra apartheid til demokrati

Notes for ”Nelson Mandela” and beginning of ”South Africa Today”

Nelson Mandela (born Rohlilahla Mandela) was born 18.th July 1918 near Umtata in Thembuland.

Mandela’s father was advisor for the chief of Umtata, and when the father died, when Mandela was only 9 years old, the chief decided to look after and educate the young Mandela.

Mandela followed many of the chief’s cases, and thereby he was fascinated by law practicing and decided to become a lawyer.

Mandela started in the local mission school, and there he was given the Christian name Nelson.

Mandela did well at school, and when he had finished his last year, he went to the University College of Fort Hare.

Mandela was proud to be in this college, because it was here, that the best black students on the continent gathered and studied.

Mandela wanted people to hear his opinions, and therefore he soon became a member of the Student’s Union. In the Union, Mandela and other students organized demonstrations, because they wanted the University to listen to the students.

After this demonstration, Mandela was expelled from the University, and he went to live in Johannesburg, where he finished his studying by correspondence.

Living in Johannesburg, Mandela became very interested in politics, and in 1942 he joined the ANC (African National Congress). Like many other Blacks, Mandela was frustrated about the Blacks rights and how they were oppressed in society.