Nelson Mandela: Biografi og tidlige liv

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born 18 July, 1918. He was born in a little village called Transkei in South-east South Africa. Nelson grew up, and in the age of 7 he became the first person in the whole Mandela family, who go to school. Mandela began in a Christian school, because his mother was Christian, and she had always told him the stories of Jesus.The first day at school was a very special day for Mandela and his family. Nelson Mandela worked hard and learned to read and write. When Mandela start to read some books, he was very surprised to find that the history books told him a lot about the white people and the whites government, but very little about the black people and the black government.

Nelson mandela became 9 years, and that was an age, Mandela clear remember, because Mandelas father died of a lung illness at that time. After his fathers death, his mother took him to a special place – The royal residence of the king of the Thembu people, and Mandelas mother left Mandela with the words “ Be strong, my boy”. That’s today Mandelas favorite quote.Nelson was brought up by the Thembu king and his wives, and was often quite alone, but suddenly the kings son, Justice, who was 13, soon became his best friend, and they shared all their secrets and life with each other. Nelson Mandela was fascinated of the Christian king, so he started to go to church on Sundays and also to pray for his family and friends. Nelson went to a church, where the church was a part of a mission station, because the whites was not interested in educating the blacks in their churchs and schools. Mandela saw the discrimination between the white and black people, and he started to fight and steal. It wasn’t a long period, because Nelson felt shame and fear, and promised to the king, that he’ll never do it again, and from now be a good boy. The king was a very respected man, who sometimes called all the Thembu people to a kind of meet, where he listened and discuss their problems. Everyone on the meeting was allowed to speak, so the meetings could last for many hours. After the meetings, he made a summary of what had been said, and then he made a solution. If everyone agreed, the meeting ended. If they didn’t another meeting was held later until everyone agreed. Because of the kings personality and justice, Nelsone used to listen and learn from other people, and he learned to find solutions, that everyone could accept. He had always learned from the king, that you need to accept and respect people, and treat everyone alike. No matter their background, color, religion and family. Nelson learned, that the black people wanted to share the land, and that is belonged to everybody. But the white people wanted it for themselves, and the white peoples guns brought them victory. Nelson was amazed to hear this new version of South African history. Nelson turned 16, and the king said he was ready for circumcision, to prove that he is a man, and not just a boy. Nelson was nervous, but he wanted to do it, and he did it. The pain was unbearable, but Nelson wanted to show people his male side. As the pain grew less, he remembered to shout out lie all the others :” I’M A MAN”.