An Influential Presidency
Most people would think that a small boy, brought up in the foothills of South Africa, and struggling for life at an early age, would not be a person of importance. Nelson Mandela eradicated all of these misleading thoughts. Becoming one of the most influential people of the twentieth century, Mandela used peaceful power in his time as president to help his nation become more unified. Through his relentless dedication for equality, peaceful opposition to the African government and example of progressive forgiveness, Mandela’s presidency changed how the world sees South Africa today.
In 1948, South Africa housed an all-white government which began enforcing existing policies of racial segregation under a system of legislation …show more content…
In order to become the first black president of South Africa, Mandela needed the highest vote. With a person of color in the running, the black population flocked to the polls. The African National Congress, Mandela’s biggest rival and oppressor, established apartheid. The Population Registration Act required all South Africans to register with the government according to their race. Interracial sex and marriage was prohibited, and each racial group was required to live separately. Other laws segregated South Africans in buses, taxis, trains, hotels, restaurants and waiting rooms. Failure to adhere to the laws was punishable by …show more content…
By reconciling with the individuals who had been the instruments of oppression during his twenty seven year sentence, he showed his people that violence only creates more problems. Mandela modelled his work in the government and life after God. As a methodist, this appeal to the religious life certainly was reflected in his presidency. “I believe that beyond the pain there is healing. Beyond the fighting there is peace. Beyond the silence God speaks”. (Mandela, UXL Biographies) Mandela could have used his position for revenge. The black population in South Africa outnumbers the white population by almost seventy percent. If Mandela had chosen to become a dictator, whites would not have stood a
Most people would think that a small boy, brought up in the foothills of South Africa, and struggling for life at an early age, would not be a person of importance. Nelson Mandela eradicated all of these misleading thoughts. Becoming one of the most influential people of the twentieth century, Mandela used peaceful power in his time as president to help his nation become more unified. Through his relentless dedication for equality, peaceful opposition to the African government and example of progressive forgiveness, Mandela’s presidency changed how the world sees South Africa today.
In 1948, South Africa housed an all-white government which began enforcing existing policies of racial segregation under a system of legislation …show more content…
In order to become the first black president of South Africa, Mandela needed the highest vote. With a person of color in the running, the black population flocked to the polls. The African National Congress, Mandela’s biggest rival and oppressor, established apartheid. The Population Registration Act required all South Africans to register with the government according to their race. Interracial sex and marriage was prohibited, and each racial group was required to live separately. Other laws segregated South Africans in buses, taxis, trains, hotels, restaurants and waiting rooms. Failure to adhere to the laws was punishable by …show more content…
By reconciling with the individuals who had been the instruments of oppression during his twenty seven year sentence, he showed his people that violence only creates more problems. Mandela modelled his work in the government and life after God. As a methodist, this appeal to the religious life certainly was reflected in his presidency. “I believe that beyond the pain there is healing. Beyond the fighting there is peace. Beyond the silence God speaks”. (Mandela, UXL Biographies) Mandela could have used his position for revenge. The black population in South Africa outnumbers the white population by almost seventy percent. If Mandela had chosen to become a dictator, whites would not have stood a