Mandela Mandela's Life

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela) was born on July 18, 1918 in a family of a great chief in Transkei, South Africa. Qualified as a lawyer at Watersland University and worked as a lawyer. Mandela had a strong character since he was a child and respected national heroes. He was the eldest son in the family and was designated as the heir apparent. But he said: "I will never rule an oppressed tribe as a chief", but "dedicate myself to the cause of national liberation in the name of a warrior." He resolutely embarked on the path of pursuing national liberation. In 1944, he joined the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC for short). In 1948 he was elected national secretary of the ANC Youth League, and in 1950 he was appointed national chairman of the ANC Youth League. In 1952, he successively served as executive committee member, Transvaal Provincial Chairman, and National Vice Chairman of the ANC. At the end of the same year, he successfully organized and led the "Movement to Defy Unjust Laws" and won the respect of all blacks. For this reason, the South African authorities twice banned him from attending public gatherings.

In June 1961, Mandela founded the ANC military organization "Spear of the Nation" and served as commander-in-chief. Mandela was arrested and imprisoned in August 1962, when he was only 43 years old. The South African government sentenced him to five years in prison for political incitement and illegal border crossing. In June 1964, he was charged with conspiracy to commit subversion and his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. From then on, he began a long life behind bars. He was in prison for 27 years. He was persecuted and tortured, but he remained steadfast and unyielding. On February 11, 1990, under pressure from domestic and foreign public opinion, the South African authorities were forced to announce the unconditional release of Mandela. In March of the same year, he was appointed vice chairman and acting chairman by the National Executive Committee of the ANC. In July 1991, he was elected chairman. In April 1994, the African National Congress won South Africa's first racially neutral general election. In May of the same year, Mandela became South Africa's first black president. In December 1997, Mandela resigned as chairman of the ANC and stated that he would no longer participate in the presidential election in June 1999. Officially resigned in June 1999.

Main works include: "The Road to Freedom Will Not Be Smooth", "Struggle is Life", "Declaration for World Freedom", and his autobiography "The Long Road to Freedom".

In 1991, UNESCO awarded Mandela the "Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize". In October 1993, the Nobel Peace Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contribution to the abolition of racial discrimination in South Africa. In the same year, he was also awarded the Philadelphia Medal of Freedom of the United States together with the then South African President de Klerk. In September 1998, Mandela visited the United States and won the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, becoming the first African to win the highest award in the United States. In August 2000, he was awarded the "Kama" Medal by the Southern African Development Community in recognition of his leadership of the South African people in the long-term struggle for freedom, in achieving the peaceful transition stage between the old and new South Africa, and as chairman of the South African Development Community. outstanding contributions during this period.

Mandela and Winnie separated in 1992. On March 19, 1996, the court ruled that Mandela and Winnie were divorced. His current wife, Graca Machel, is the widow of former Mozambican President Zamora. She married Mandela on July 18, 1998.

He visited China for the first time in October 1992, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in law by Peking University on the 5th. In May 1999, President Mandela was invited to visit China. He was the first South African head of state to visit China.

Mandela’s legendary life

Mandela’s legendary life

The ancients said: “The prime minister’s belly can hold a boat.” As a contemporary great man , Mandela's broad mind is admired by the world. In 2000, a serious incident of racial discrimination occurred in the South African National Police Service: In an office in the headquarters building, when the staff turned on the computer, the image of Mandela on the computer screen gradually changed into "Big Orangutan", the National Police Commissioner and the Minister of Public Security were furious upon hearing this, and the South African people were also filled with indignation. When the news reached Mandela's ears, he was very calm and did not "care too much" about the matter. "My dignity will not be damaged by this," and said that such problems have occurred in the Police Headquarters. It seems that discipline needs to be improved.

A few days later, while voting in the local elections in South Africa, when the polling station staff routinely compared the photo on Mandela's ID card with his own, Mandela smiled kindly and said: "Do you think I look like a gorilla? ?” It made everyone present laugh from ear to ear. Not long ago, at the completion ceremony of a new school in a rural area in eastern South Africa, Mandela said to the children with humor: "Even the gorillas are very happy to see that you have such a good school." As soon as he finished speaking, several Hundreds of children burst into laughter, and Mandela also smiled heartily. He cleverly used other people's pranks on him and used humor to liven up the atmosphere. Here, humor became a natural portrayal of Mandela's broad mind, writing a magnanimous and open-minded mind, embodying a kind of magnanimity that tolerates all things.

Lifelong regret:

Failed to become a boxing champion

Mandela’s favorite sport was boxing, and he participated in competitions when he was young. Mandela, who is over eighty years old, first mentioned boxing when talking about his "lifetime regrets." "I regret not being able to become a world-class boxing champion."

Personality:

Known as the "Global President"

Even in prison, Mandela has repeatedly become the focus of the world and his appeal and influence all over the world. In 1981, more than 10,000 French people jointly sent a petition to the South African Embassy in France, demanding the release of Mandela; in 1982, 2,000 mayors from 53 countries around the world signed a petition for Mandela's release; in 1983 , 78 British parliamentarians issued a joint statement, and more than 50 city mayors marched in London, demanding the British Prime Minister put pressure on South Africa to restore Mandela's freedom. With such popularity that no one can match, it’s no wonder that some people call Mandela the “Global President

Mandela’s Ten Classic Sayings

●“Let blacks and whites become brothers, and South Africa can Prosperity and development. ”

●“During those long and lonely years, my longing for freedom for my people became a longing for freedom for all, white and black. "——Mandela has a unique understanding of war and peace.

●"The oppressors need to be liberated as much as the oppressed. The person who takes away the freedom of others is a prisoner of hatred. He is imprisoned by the iron bars of prejudice and short-sightedness. ”

●“I have dedicated my life to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white racial domination, and I have also fought against black autocracy. I cherish the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all people live together in harmony and have equal opportunities. I want to live for this ideal and realize it. But I'm ready to die for it if need be. "——When he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964, Mandela turned the trial court into a forum to expose the evils of the apartheid system and awaken the masses. This is how his four-hour statement ended.

●"In this Iraq War, we have seen every move of the United States and Bush. Who is the threat to the world? ! "——Mandela condemned US President Bush for wantonly trampling on Iraq's sovereignty.

●"If you (Clinton) are unhappy, just jump into the swimming pool! ”——Mandela disliked others telling South Africa the most. In March 1998, Clinton visited South Africa. At a joint press conference, Mandela publicly stated that South Africa would maintain close relations with Cuba, Iran, and Libya, and announced that South Africa would soon The visit to Iran greatly embarrassed Clinton, who stood side by side with him.

●“I have played my role and now I just want to live in obscurity. I want to go back to my hometown village and walk on the hillsides where I played in my childhood. "——Mandela is willing to be a civilian after retirement.

●"I want to paint that island with optimistic colors, and this is what I want to share with people around the world. I want to tell everyone that as long as we accept the challenges in life, even the most bizarre dreams can come true! "When Mandela was 84 years old, he held a personal exhibition in South Africa, and the theme of his works was prison life. During 27 years of life behind bars, Mandela used charcoal and crayon painting to pass the time, and gradually formed a unique painting style: simple lines , colorful. He likes to tell his story behind bars the most, but he does not choose "dark and gloomy" colors, but bright and lively colors to express his optimistic and positive attitude.

●“Don’t worry, relax and be happy! ”——The 85-year-old Mandela is still energetic and cheerful.

In the heart of this old man who has experienced the pain of prison for nearly 30 years, freedom is happiness. ·“From now on, my life has added two important contents. The first is Gra?a, and the second is going to Mozambique to eat prawns.” ——Mandela spent his later years with the widow of the former president of Mozambique.

Life hobbies:

Fresh lamb and corn rice

Walking on the beach

Watching the sunset

Music by Handel and Tchaikovsky

Children

A hearty breakfast of cereal, fruit and milk

His favorite food is

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——Refined fresh lamb and Amarhewu (a kind of fermented corn flour rice)

Fashionable clothing:

Colorful shirts lead the trend

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In the hearts of the South African people, Mandela not only leads the people of the country, but also leads the fashion trend.

The colorful shirt is a typical "Mandela suit", which fully shows the sunshine and warmth in the old man's heart.

Humorous:

“Do I look like a gorilla to you?”

Mandela: Life after the leader at 85

For Mandela, there is no word "retirement" in life. Children who are eager for education, AIDS patients who have no money for treatment, and the smoke of war in the world are all reasons why he cannot retire

On July 14, after Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa and a famous international humanitarian activist, gave a speech at the International AIDS Conference in Paris, demonstrators under the rostrum held up slogans demanding that developed countries provide assistance to poor countries. Provide more aid for HIV treatment. One demonstrator even climbed onto the rostrum and said to Mandela, "We are in a moment of crisis and we need help and support!"

Mandela smiled while standing on the rostrum. While clapping and cheering for the protesters, they read their slogans loudly. The thrust of Mandela's speech echoed the calls of protesters, who were angry that many people in the developing world were not receiving HIV treatment.

On this day, there are four days left before Mandela’s 85th birthday.

In 1999, after Mandela completed his five-year term, he moved out of the Presidential Palace in Pretoria and moved into a new home in Johannesburg. The Nobel Peace Prize winner and one of the world's most prestigious politicians has officially begun his retirement. But the people's expectations of Mandela, the unstable world and his own sense of mission determined that the old man could not live a real civilian life, and his busy pace never stopped.

No injustice

On July 8, when Bush started a trip to Africa with a checkbook to improve the international image of the United States, Mandela also chose to visit Europe at this time. , to avoid meeting Bush, who claims to have always admired him.

Mandela was protesting against American authoritarianism in his own way. Although the years have turned Mandela's temples white and his 27 years in prison have made the old man's steps hobbled, the old man's spine has always been straight and his head has been held noblely. He has been working hard to build a fairer and more just world. When the powerful bullies the weak, he can always hear the grievances of the elderly.

On the issue of Iraq, Mandela has a clear attitude. He believes that Iraq should implement relevant United Nations resolutions and destroy weapons of mass destruction; at the same time, the United States should give peace a chance. Even if it uses force, it must be approved by the Security Council. approve. Because he clearly sees that if the United States bypasses the United Nations and attacks Iraq, the world will enter a jungle era where the jungle is dominated by the weak. For the African continent, which is dominated by weak and small countries, this is a dangerous signal. At first, Mandela believed that hawks such as U.S. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld were "misleading" Bush. However, when he discovered that Bush was bent on launching a war with Iraq, he clearly criticized Bush for being "incapable of thinking correctly." And when meeting with the French Foreign Minister, he praised French President Chirac. He said: "President Chirac took the right attitude on the Iraq issue. He did not support war, but supported peace." "Alchemy" for children and AIDS patients

After leaving the Presidential Palace, people did not lower their expectations for Mandela because of his resignation, and his restless personality also prevented him from stopping his busy pace. After the establishment of the Mandela Foundation, he focused his work on two projects: improving the educational conditions of rural children and helping to solve the AIDS problem.

Mandela's efforts have yielded fruitful results.

In the Eastern Cape Province, the poorest province in South Africa, the foundation cooperated with the local education department to renovate and build 15 "Mandela Schools". The schools have new classrooms, new offices, and new toilets. The children have teaching materials and are empty. There are books in the library, and for the first time, the children of the poor have seen computers in school and come into contact with the Internet.

When the school was completed, it was also Mandela's happiest time. Whenever he took the trouble to fly several hours by helicopter to reach these newly built remote schools, there were usually countless people from far and wide waiting outside the schools to greet their Madiba (Mandela's nickname). There are currently more than 100 such model schools, and the Mandela Foundation's plan is to increase the number of such schools to 300 within three years starting from 2002, and expand the scope to the entire South Africa. The funds required for the entire plan were "begged" by Mandela from various large companies at home and abroad. Mandela said at the opening ceremony more than once that I am just a powerless retired old man, but your love for me and the support of my friends enable me to continue to do something for you.

Mandela was also a pioneer in the cause of AIDS prevention and treatment. Photos of him hugging a young female AIDS patient appeared frequently in the South African media, calling on everyone not to discriminate against AIDS patients and actively support them. Raising funds for people with AIDS in South Africa. The 2002 survey on the spread of AIDS in South Africa, jointly conducted by the Mandela Foundation and South African scientific research institutions, is currently recognized as a relatively accurate and authoritative survey report.

The heart of a child is optimistic and optimistic

In the middle of the night on May 5, 2003, Sisulu, the veteran of the African National Congress, passed away at his home in Johannesburg. Mandela was deeply saddened by the sudden death of his friend who had been with him for many years. Mandela and Sisulu met in the 1940s. During those turbulent days, they fought side by side, organized blacks to go on strike, resisted the perverse actions of the government at the time, and committed suicide in the prison on Robben Island. We spent a long time together. On the evening of May 6, the new site of the Mandela Foundation was unveiled. When Mandela appeared in front of everyone, the sadness between his eyebrows made him look much older. He also staggered a little and needed the help of assistants. He didn't smile that night and left shortly after unveiling the new location.

On July 18, Mandela will celebrate his 85th birthday. The departure of his companions one by one made Mandela realize the natural laws of metabolism. But the old man was very calm about this. He said: "The first thing I will do after I die is to register at the nearest ANC party branch."

Now the old man is still clear-headed and energetic. The exuberant energy sometimes makes even young people feel inferior. Kacharya was an 18-year-old girl when she met Mandela. Now she is an old lady in her 70s. She is still amazed by Mandela's vigorous vitality. She said: "I don't think he ever wanted to slow down and take a break, he always wanted to keep going, going, going."

Mandela was a prison warden and now works at the Robben Island Museum Personnel Brand was also impressed by his tenacity. He said that Mandela always got up at 5 o'clock in the morning and then did various exercises: push-ups, stand-ups and squats, etc. "I think he had a strong perseverance that made him so strong in life," Brand said.

In addition to his tenacity, Mandela was also very humorous. In January this year, Mandela met the newly elected Miss South Africa Cindy Nair at home. After posing for reporters to take photos, the old man slowly said: "I'm still a little worried today..." After seeing that he successfully attracted everyone's attention, he continued: "I was worried that her boyfriend would be unhappy, but then... I think it shouldn't matter if Cindy comes to see me, an old man." He actually let it slip a little, and everyone laughed.

Mandela, an old man who loves life, is still developing his own colorful and magnificent life.

Mandela’s short story

Mandela, the national champion of South Africa, was imprisoned for leading the opposition to the white apartheid policy. The white rulers imprisoned him in a desolate Atlantic island. 27 years on Robben Island. Although Mandela was already old at that time, the white rulers still brutally abused him like any other young prisoner.

Robben Island is located in Table Bay, 7 miles northwest of Cape Town. The island is covered with rocks and is full of seals, snakes and other animals.

Mandela was imprisoned in a "zinc skin room" in the general concentration camp. During the day, he was breaking stones and breaking large stones from the quarry into stone. Sometimes they fish kelp from the cold seawater and do lime mining. He filed into the quarry every morning, was unshackled and descended into a large limestone field, where he dug out the limestone with picks and shovels. Because Mandela was a wanted criminal, there were three people specially assigned to guard him. They were not friendly to him and always found various reasons to mistreat him.

However, when Mandela was released from prison and elected president in 1991, Mandela shocked the whole world with a move at his presidential inauguration.

The presidential inauguration ceremony began, and Mandela stood up and delivered a speech to welcome the guests. He first introduced the dignitaries from all over the world, and then said that although he was deeply honored to receive so many distinguished guests, what he was most happy about was that when he was imprisoned in Robben Island Prison, the three former prison guards who guarded him Personnel can also be present. He invited them to stand so that he could introduce them.

Mandela's broad mind and generous spirit made the white people in South Africa who brutally abused him for 27 years feel ashamed, and also awe-inspiring everyone present. Seeing the elderly Mandela slowly stand up and respectfully pay tribute to the three guards who had imprisoned him, all the guests present and the whole world fell silent.

Later, Mandela explained to his friends that he had been very impatient and had a bad temper when he was young. It was in prison that he learned to control his emotions and survived. His years in prison gave him the time and encouragement to learn how to deal with the pain of his own suffering. He said that gratitude and tolerance often come from pain and suffering and must be trained with great perseverance.

He talked about his mood on the day he was released from prison: "When I walked out of the cell and stepped through the prison door leading to freedom, I already knew that if I couldn't leave my grief and resentment behind, then I'm actually still in prison."